THE 

PANG-YANGER 

ELM  A  A  TRAVIS 


THE 


PANG-YANGER 

By 
ELMA  A.  TRAVIS,  M.  D. 


NEW  YORK 

McCLURE,  PHILLIPS  &    CO. 
MCMV 


Cof)ri[ht,    190S.   by 

McCLURE,    PHILLIPS   &   CO. 

Publiihed  Oitobtr.   1905 


STACK 
ANNEX 

PS 


"  Enslaved,  illogical,  elate 

He  greets  the  embarrassed  Gods,  nor  fears 
To  shake  the  iron  hand  of  Fate 
Or  match  with  Destiny  for  beers." 

KIPLING 


THE    PANG-YANGER 


THERE  was  the  tang  of  a  blizzard  in  the  March 
gale  whirling  through  the  mountains,  and  the 
clear,  star-lit  air  was  filled  with  tingling  particles 
of  the  driven  snow,  which  was  swept  from  peak  to  val 
ley,  only  to  be  caught  again  and  carried  swirling  upward 
when  some  keen  counter-blast  struggled  out  of  a  blind 
gorge  of  the  hills.  On  the  desolate  uplands,  the  gale, 
with  shrill  shrieking,  waltzed  with  this  wan  ghost  of  the 
winter's  snow,  but  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains  it  fell 
alone  down  upon  the  clean-swept  railroad  tracks,  to  race 
madly  with  each  passing  train. 

Kelley's  Junction  is  a  flag-station,  where  the  Hurstville 
mountain  road  crosses  the  main  line,  and  all  the  local  trains 
stop  in  their  hill-climbing  and  wait  with  imDortunate  puff 
ing  for  the  main-line  trains.  The  "  9  105  "  only  slowed 
down  while  an  agile  passenger  swung  himself  off  into  the 
March  gale.  The  man  carried,  with  careful  awkwardness, 
a  closely  muffled  child  upon  his  arm,  and  he  seemed  famil 
iar  with  the  atmospheric  and  other  conditions  of  the 
place,  for  notwithstanding  the  impatient  admonition  of 
the  local's  whistle,  he  deliberately  waited,  bent  shoulders 
to  the  gale,  until  the  wind  and  the  express  went  roaring 
down  the  track  together,  before  he  crossed  the  clean-swept 
frosted  rails  to  board  the  mountain  train. 

The  conductor,  beside  the  steps,  flashed  the  inquisitive 

light   of   his   lantern    upon    the   approaching   passenger. 

'Take  yer  time,   'Bijah,"  he  adjured  sarcastically,   and 

waving  the  signal  for  starting,  as  the  newcomer  leisurely 


4  THE  PANG-YANGER 

mounted  to  the  platform,  he  followed  him  into  the  car  and 
the  train  lurched  heavily  into  the  upgrade  pull. 

The  last  passenger  was  a  large  man  of  about  thirty-fire, 
with  the  thews  and  sinews  of  the  natural  athlete,  and  the 
bronze  of  out-of-doors.  His  features,  large  and  regular, 
possessed  a  peculiar  faculty  of  inexpressiveness;  a  very 
straight  and  black  moustache  concealed  his  mouth;  his 
clean-shaven  jaw  was  firm  without  aggression,  and  his  level 
eyelids  half  concealed  the  sombre  mockery  of  a  pair  of  the 
most  eloquent  eyes  in  the  world. 

'  Wat  in  time  hev  yeou  got  there,  'Bijah?  "  demanded 
the  conductor,  peering  around  the  shoulder  of  the  big 
man,  who  had  paused  for  a  cursory  survey  of  the  car: 

'  This  is  my  son — Rob,"  said  Abijah  Bead  absently,  his 
raucous  voice  as  level  as  his  unfluttering  eyelids,  and  Silas 
Mason  squinted  nearsightedly  up  at  him,  and  down  at  the 
child  on  his  arm. 

"  Oh,  yeou  get  eout!  "  he  scoffed  incredulously. 

The  delicate  aspersion  did  not  appear  to  reach  Mr. 
Bead's  abstraction. 

"  Wat  kind  of  a  joke  yeou  tryin'  tew  work  off,  neow?  " 
the  conductor  persisted,  a  knowing  leer  on  his  sandy, 
weather-beaten  features.  He  was  a  most  unpleasant  per 
son,  but  Hurstville  had  wondered  why  it  tolerated  him 
until  he  had  become  an  institution  on  the  mountain  road. 

Mr.  Bead  brought  his  eyes  to  a  sharp  focus  of  his  in 
sistent  interlocutor. 

"  I  have  told  you,  this  is  my  son.  And  you  better  take 
my  word  than  search  for  proof,"  he  said  brusquely,  and 
strode  down  the  car,  while  the  conductor,  with  a  muttered 
scurrility,  went  about  his  official  business,  slamming  the 
car-door  behind  him. 

Abijah's  son  roused  sleepily  as  they  passed  down  the 
aisle,  and  the  undivided  attention  of  the  passengers  was 
fixed  upon  them.  Heads  turned,  questing,  meaning 


CHAPTER  ONE  5 

glances  were  exchanged,  and  a  buzz  of  conversation  arose 
as  Abijah,  composedly  selecting  two  vacant  seats,  turned 
one,  deposited  the  boy  upon  it,  and  removing  his  overcoat, 
tucked  it  beneath  the  child's  head,  as  a  pillow.  He  said 
something  to  the  boy  as  he  made  these  arrangements,  and 
observers  were  quick  to  note  the  softening  of  the  man's 
face,  as  he  spoke ;  but  his  usual  inscrutable  expression  re 
turned  as  he  settled  back  in  the  seat  opposite  and  fixed  a 
steady  gaze  on  space. 

A  young  man  turned  to  a  large,  fair  elderly  lady  beside 
him  as  Abijah  and  his  son  settled  down. 

"  Looks  uncommonly  mulish  to-night,  doesn't  he? 
Wonder  what  he's  up  to,"  he  remarked,  and  Mrs.  Palmer 
sighed.  Regarding  Abijah  Bead,  conservative  people 
felt  it  safest  to  expect  the  worst. 

''Now  don't!  please!  Aunt  Lois!"  young  Deyo  pro 
tested.  '  You  know  it's  meat  and  drink  to  him  to  get  a 
rise  out  of  the  community.  See  folks  looking  at  him  out 
of  the  corners  of  their  eyes.  He  feels  them  through  the 
back  of  his  head,  the  stiff-necked  beggar !  Don't  you  go 
puckering  up  that  nice  smooth  forehead  of  yours  because 
he  has  suddenly  accumulated  a  red-headed  kid.  Isn't  he 
a  red-head?  I'm  going  over  to  see  about  it."  He  rose 
from  his  seat.  "  Don't  you  wish  you  could  see  Mrs.  Bead's 
face  when  her  unexpected  grandson  is  presented?"  he 
murmured,  and  chuckling  heartlessly,  went  on  toward  Mr. 
Bead. 

1  'Bijah,  old  man — how  are  you?  "  he  said,  and  they 
shook  hands  heartily,  for  the  two  had  been  confederates  in 
boyhood,  and  life-long;  friends. 

;'  First-rate !  Glad  to  see  you !  Sit  down,"  said  Mr. 
Bead,  hospitably  kicking  his  valise  under  the  seat.  He 
leaned  forward  to  push  it  further,  and  the  brim  of  his  hat 
struck  sharply  against  the  head  of  a  young  lady  in  the  sent 
before  them.  Her  hand  flew  to  her  hair  with  unmistakable 


6  THE  PANG-YANGER 

annoyance,  and  his  curt  "  beg  pardon  "  was  so  openly  un- 
conciliatory  that  she  shot  a  surprised  half-glance  back 
ward  as  she  made  an  indefinite  acknowledgment  of  the 
scant  apology. 

Mr.  Deyo's  brows  were  interrogative  as  she  nestled  back 
against  the  shoulder  of  her  companion,  a  mulattress  of 
unusual  stature;  but  Mr.  Bead  shook  his  head  indiffer 
ently. 

4  Well,  then,  in  the  name  of — celibacy — whom  have  we 
here?  "  enquired  Deyo,  turning  his  attention  to  the  sleep 
ing  child. 

Mr.  Bead  obliterated  every  trace  of  expression  from  his 
face,  as  he  replied  succinctly:  "This  is  my  son — Rob." 

"  Ah!  Might  have  introduced  me  before  he  was  quite 
grown  up,  seems  to  me.  How  old  is  he?  "  enquired  Deyo, 
in  a  tone  of  casual  interest. 

"  Five,"  said  the  inflexible  jaws. 

"Small  for  his  age,  isn't  he?  Do  him  good  to  run 
wild  on  the  farm,  I  should  say.  Going  to  have  him  out 
there,  I  suppose?  " 

"  Yes,  take  off  his  shoes,  and  turn  him  out  to  grass  this 
summer,"  replied  Mr.  Bead,  relaxing  a  trifle. 

Deyo  communed  with  himself  a  moment,  and  broke  into 
frank,  boyish  laughter;  Bead  turned  unsmiling  eyes  upon 
him. 

"  Oh,  nothing  much.  I  was  thinking — er — does  your 
mother  expect  him?  " 

"  No  reason  to." 

Deyo  gave  an  appreciative  glance,  but  Bead  only 
shrugged. 

"  I  was  always  sorry  for  my  family,"  he  said  doggedly, 
"  but  I  never  felt  personally  responsible  for  being  a  mem 
ber  of  it,  and  I  don't  ask  them  to  recognise  the  fact  unless 
they  want  to." 

"  You   bulk   too   large    for   a   negligible    factor   and— 


CHAPTER  ONE  7 

you're  repudiating   family  responsibility  yourself,   aren't 
you,  in  great  shape?  "  sarcastically. 

"  This  little  chap's  going  to  have  things  on  the  square 
as  far  as  I  can  make  the  deal." 

"  That's  a  commendable  resolution,  but  to  the  casual 
observer  it  will  appear  somewhat — tardy." 

The  insurgent  parent  shrugged  his  massive  shoulders. 

"Appearances  be  damned!  "  he  said  contemptuously. 

"  Oh,  all  right!  All  right,  old  man!  You  know  why 
I'm  boring  you,  of  course?  " 

"  Sure,"  said  Abijah  cordially.  "  Are  you  on  for  any 
time  this  trip?  " 

"  No,  this  is  only  a  flyer." 

'  There  comes  Benji,"  observed  Bead,  as  a  rubicund 
and  amiable  old  young  man,  best  known  as  the  son  of  his 
father,  rose  from  his  seat  and  came  up  the  car:  his  pince- 
nez  was  turned  upon  them  inquisitively. 

'  Just  saw  you,  Bill  Hen;  how  are  you?  "  he  exclaimed, 
jovially  extending  his  hand  to  Deyo. 

"  Oh,  just  able  to  be  out,  thanks.  You  look  as  '  fresh  ' 
as  usual.  Folks  all  well?  " 

'  Yes,  thanks,  but  I  say,  'Bije,  whose  carrot-top  you 
got  here?  "  exclaimed  young  Phelps,  catching  sight  of  the 
child. 

"  Mine,"  responded  Abijah,  meeting  the  quizzical  eyes 
of  his  townsman  calmly. 

"  Aw !    Say  now  !  "  Phelps  protested  feebly. 

"Certainly!''  and  Bead's  voice  expressed  the  liveliest 
surprise  at  any  incredulity. 

'  Well,  you  can't  expect  a  fellow  to  find  a,  presumably, 
bachelor  friend  trotting  out  a  four-year-old,  and  not  be 
surprised,  can  you?  It  isn't — er — usual — you  know,"  re 
turned  Phelps  defensively. 

"  The  bachelors  of  Hurstville  ought  to  mob  him  for 
establishing  such  a  precedent,  hey,  Benji?  "  quizzed  Deyo. 


8  THE   PANG-YANGER 

"  Tickets !  "  The  conductor's  voice  broke  briskly  upon 
the  trio,  and  as  he  punched  their  cardboards  he  scrutinised 
Abijah's  son,  who  had  rolled  over,  and  presented  only  the 
back  of  his  flaming  head  to  the  inspection  of  his  future 
townsmen.  "  This  looks  like  a  kidnappin',  ha  !  ha  !  ha  ! 
doesn't  it?  "  he  exclaimed.  "  A  kid  nappin',  you  know!  " 
he  explained  affably. 

Now,  Abijah  Bead  and  Bill  Hen  Deyo  had  as  boys  dis 
covered  that  Silas  Mason's  facetiousness  was  a  degree  more 
unpleasant  than  his  ill-temper,  and  had  acted  on  the  dis 
covery  ever  since;  Deyo  fell  faintly  back  in  his  seat,  and 
Phelps  solicitously  fanned  him  with  his  ticket. 

'  You'll  do  that  once  too  often  some  day,  Si.  Bill  Hen 
isn't  used  to  it  any  more,"  admonished  Abijah  severely. 

Silas  fell  back  on  his  stock  repartee  for  all  occasions: 
"  Oh,  yeou  git  eout!  "  he  muttered  angrily  and  passed  to 
the  next  seat. 

"  Captain,  is  the  next  station  Hurstville?  "  enquired  the 
young  lady,  leaning  across  the  lap  of  her  companion  with 
the  nervousness  of  the  unaccustomed  traveller. 

'  Yes'm,"  responded  Silas   curtly,  and  passed  on. 

"  Oh,  dear!  I  wanted  to  ask  him  what  time  we  should 
get  there!  "  the  girl  exclaimed  to  her  companion,  who 
thereupon  reached  forward  and  touched  the  conductor 
lightly  on  the  arm.  He  frowned  back  at  her,  and  ignor 
ing  her  signal,  stepped  across  the  aisle. 

The  black  Amazon  did  not  rise.  She  extended  her  long 
arm  like  a  tentacle,  grasped  the  delinquent  official  firmly, 
and  drew  him,  resisting,  backward.  The  trio  behind 
watched  the  manoeuvre  with  the  liveliest  delight. 

"  Leggo  my  arm,  you  black— 

"  Beg  pardon,  sah,  my  mistress  am  mighty  anxious 
teh  speak  teh  yeh,"  said  Mam'  Lilly  blandly,  as  she 
released  him.  The  girl  was  in  an  agony  of  embarrass 
ment. 


CHAPTER  ONE  9 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,  but  I  only  wished  to  enquire  the  time 
the  train  reaches  Hurstville,"  she  said,  trying  to  ignore  the 
contretemps. 

"  Haven't  yeou  a  time-table?  "  snapped  Silas. 

'  Yes,  but — I — er — understood  we  were  behind  time." 

"  Wai,  we  ain't!  "  he  snarled  and  walked  away. 

Mr.  Phelps  started  impulsively  to  follow,  but  Deyo,  con 
sumed  by  silent  laughter,  restrained  his  impetuous  towns 
man. 

"  Steady,  Benji,"  he  adjured. 

''  He  ought  to  be  thrashed,"  said  Phelps  savagely. 
"  Miss  Hurst  will  think  she  has  come  among  barbarians." 

"  She  doesn't  seem  in  need  of  a  champion  as  long  as  that 
old  nigger  is  around,"  said  Bead,  with  grim  enjoyment. 

;' Is  that  Madam  Hurst's  granddaughter?"  enquired 
Deyo. 

'  Yes;  must  be.  Sarah  told  me  she  was  expected  to 
night.  Let  go  my  coat-tail,  Bill  Hen,  I'm  going  to  speak 
to  the  girl,"  said  Phelps,  assuming  the  benevolent  expres 
sion  of  a  married  and  therefore  privileged  townsman  and 
neighbour. 

Deyo  half  rose  from  his  seat. 

'Take  me  too,  oh,  my  father!"  he  whispered,  but 
Phelps  smiled  broadly  and  pushed  him  back.  He  had  not 
quite  recovered  his  gravity  when  he  bowed  before  Barbara 
Hurst. 

"  I  beg  pardon,  Miss  Hurst — I  think  I  am  right?  " 

Barbara  Hurst  bowed  gravely. 

"  I  am  a  neighbour  of  Madam  Hurst's;  my  wife  said 
she  was  expecting  you  to-night.  I  beg  to  inform  you  that 
we  are  about  half  an  hour  late,  and  to  apologise  to  you  in 
my  father's  name — (my  Dad's  the  distinguished  president 
of  this  lovely  road) — for  the  rudeness  of  the  conductor.  I 
promise  you  he  shall  never  have  another  chance  to  air  his 
insolence  on  this  track." 


io  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Oh,  please — please  don't  mention  it !  Didn't  you  see 
what  Mam'  Lilly  did?"  exclaimed  Miss  Hurst,  casting  a 
glance  of  keenest  reprobation  at  the  offender. 

"  No  one  ever  travels  on  this  road  without  acquiring  an 
ardent  desire  to  lynch  Silas  Mason,"  said  young  Phelps, 
with  gallant  indignation. 

"  But  really,  I'd  rather  you  did  nothing  about  it,  as 
Mammy  was  certainly  to  blame,"  said  Miss  Hurst  decid 
edly,  and  Mr.  Phelps,  enjoying  the  sweet  touch  of  the 
South  in  her  speech,  wondered  if  the  men  behind  could 
hear  it.  They  could;  Abijah  was  reminiscitory. 

4  Yes,  I  had  forgotten :  the  Post  had  a  column  last  week 
about  the  expected  arrival  of  Madam  Hurst's  grand 
daughter:  Jim  just  laid  himself  out  on  her  pedigree.  She's 
a  beauty  and  a  belle,  of  course — ever  hear  of  a  Southern 
girl  who  wasn't  both? — and  I'm  credibly  assured  that 
her  presence  will  give  ton  to  the  provincial  society  of 
Hurstville.  Personally,  I  don't  pretend  to  know  why 
Hurstville  shouldn't  be  provincial,  but  it  seems  it's  a  fact 
to  be  deplored.  Mother  and  Emily  privately  calculate 
that  this  Hurst  girl's  going  to  mitigate  the  condition  about 
twenty  per  cent.  She's  rich,  you  know.  Madam  divided 
up  the  estate  with  her  when  the  old  captain  died;  re 
member?  " 

"  No,  I  forget  some  of  the  old  wives'  tales." 

"  Captain  Hurst  cut  off  his  son  with  something  less  than 
the  proverbial  shilling  when  the  young  man  joined  the  Con 
federate  Army.  Her  folks  down  there  must  be  the  most 
cantankerous  fire-eaters;  they've  never  let  the  girl  come 
north  before.  I  believe  they  are  all  dead  now,  or  some 
thing.  Anyhow,  here  she  is,  and  the  high  monky-monks 
of  Hurstville  await  her  with  open  arms.  She's  probably 
come  up  to  make  sure  of  the  other  half  of  her  estate  when 
Madam  dies." 

"Probably!     She  looks  capable  of  dark  and  deep  de- 


CHAPTER  ONE  n 

signs,  don't  she?  Is  undoubtedly  prepared  to  poison 
Madam  if  she  don't  get  it  soon.  Why  don't  you  follow 
your  suggestions  to  the  logical  conclusion?"  enquired 
Deyo  irritably. 

u  It  isn't  necessary  with  a  rational  person,  and  she  is 
certainly  dark  enough  for  anything,"  retorted  Bead,  coolly 
surveying  the  girl's  face. 

It  was  certainly  not  pretty,  and  it  was  as  certainly  charm 
ing,  with  a  peculiar  piquant  bright  darkness;  the  grey  eyes 
were  luminous  as  stars  in  a  dusky  sky,  and  even  the  sombre 
garb  she  wore  could  not  subdue  the  vibrant  life  of  the 
slender  figure.  It  ran  in  tapering,  rosy  flames  into  her 
very  finger  tips,  and  rang  in  delicious,  unexpected  cadences 
through  the  short  scale  of  her  fresh  young  voice.  Mr. 
Deyo's  appreciative  glance  went  from  her  to  his  friend  in 
eloquent  reproof. 

"  She  is  no  end  a  jolly  little  girl!  Pity  to  be  thrown 
away  on  Hurstville !  Now  if  I  neighboured  her,  as 
that  idiot  of  a  Benji  does !  "  His  modesty  refrained  from 
finishing  the  sentence,  but  he  regarded  the  genial  Benji 
with  unfeigned  envy. 

''  It  is  a  pity  you  do  not.  Miss  Palmer  would  enjoy  it 
so  much,"  said  Abijah,  mentally  trying  to  calculate  the 
dynamic  effect  of  a  girl  like  this  in  their  quiet  town :  he 
knew  it  would  be  appreciable. 

"  Marcia  is  not  of  a  jealous  disposition,"  retorted  Mr. 
Deyo,  complacently  watching  the  vivacious  face  in  front 
of  them. 

"  Lucky  thing,"  Abijah  observed  drily. 

'  It  looks  to  me"  said  the  young  lawyer  pointedly, 
"  that  as  a  censor—  He  leaned  forward  and  looked 

down  at  the  sleeping  child,  who  had  turned  his  face  toward 
them,  and  as  he  looked,  his  scrutiny  became  more  search 
ing.  The  little  face  was  slumber-flushed,  and  grimy  from 
long  travelling;  the  lashes  lay  upon  the  roseleaf  cheeks, 


12  THE  PANG-YANGER 

in  a  long  golden  fringe;  damp  ruddy  locks  clung 
round  the  white  forehead,  and  the  red  lips  were  delicately 
moulded  and  very  firmly  closed.  A  lovely  child,  a  deli 
cious  baby  that  female  relatives  would  rave  about,  but 
in  all  the  flower-fair  features  and  rose-tinted  flesh,  there 
was  no  line,  no  tint,  no  hint,  presageful  of  his  sire's  dour, 
dark  physiognomy.  Another  likeness  was  distinct,  equally 
familiar,  and  the  young  lawyer's  self-possession  was  not 
proof  against  the  surprise  of  its  recognition.  He  raised 
a  startled,  anxious  gaze  to  the  unconscious  and  happy 
Mr.  Phelps,  and  turned  perturbed,  enquiring,  half-accusa 
tive  eyes  upon  Abijah. 

Abijah,  in  absorbed  contemplation  of  Mam'  Lilly's  coif 
fure,  was  apparently  oblivious  of  interrogation,  but  his 
friend  knew  better.  He  mentally  reviewed  the  local  his 
tory  for  five  years  without  the  least  satisfaction.  "  'Bijah," 
he  remonstrated  earnestly,  "  how  the  devil  can  you  do 
this?" 

Mr.  Bead  turned  a  face  of  blank  enquiry. 

"What?"  he  demanded  blandly. 

'  Take  this  boy  to  Hurstville!  Why,  good  Lord,  man, 
it  makes  you  look  an  utter  cad !  " 

The  candid  criticism  did  not  disturb  Abijah's  equa 
nimity,  and  his  massive  shrug  implied  an  insolent  indiffer 
ence  to  public  opinion,  an  attitude  which  always  exasper 
ated  his  friend  to  futile  expostulation. 

'  No  man  has  a  right  to  rest  under  an  imputation  so 
contemptible !  There  are  things  no  fellow  can  do !  " 
Deyo  began  hotly.  "  Hurstville  is  not  a  citadel  of  chiv 
alry,  but  a  vaunt  like  this  is  sure  to  excite  sympathy  for — 
others." 

"  I  fail  to  recall  that  /  have  ever  asked  the  sympathy  or 
approbation  of  Hurstville,"  said  Abijah.  "  I  never  did 
measure  up  to  the  sentimental  requirement  of  my  towns 
men;  I'm  destitute  of  the  finer  sensibilities;  but — I  want 


CHAPTER  ONE  13 

my  son  in  my  own  house.  Between  you  and  me,  I  have 
no  conquest  to  boast  of:  you'll  have  to  take  my  word  for 
this,  Bill  Hen,  I  can't  explain.  The  boy's  nurse  has  just 
died.  There  was  no  one  else  I  could  trust  him  to,  and  you 
may  not  credit  the  fact,  but  I'm  devilish  fond  of  the  little 
tad." 

There  was  an  unconscious  pathos  in  the  big  man's  de 
fiant  attitude,  but  his  friend  was  obdurate. 

"  You're  not  obliged  to  live  in  Hurstville,  and  you  might 
have  some  consideration  for  the  innocent  who  will  suffer 
from  this  expose,"  he  admonished  severely.  Mr.  Bead 
looked  reflectively  at  Benji  Phelps'  ruddy,  fatuous  face. 

"  I  don't  seem  to  have,"  he  acknowledged  stolidly,  and 
Deyo  understood  a  tacit  demand  upon  his  confidence. 

"  All  I'm  afraid  of,  'Bije,"  he  said  confidentially,  after 
a  pause,  "  is,  that  this  thing  will  prove  a  boomerang!  " 

"  That,"  said  Abijah  piously,  "  is  upon  the  knees  of  the 
gods."  A  rollicking  defiance  lit  the  sombre  eyes  as  he 
added,  "  And  I  don't  know  but  I'd  as  soon  take  my  spank 
ing  now,  as  later." 

Deyo  smiled  reluctantly.  "  I  hope  you  will  get  it,  good 
and  plenty.  I  don't  pretend  to  understand  your  attitude, 
and  I'm  damned  sorry  for  Benji,"  he  said  emphatic 
ally. 

"  He  don't  know  he's  hurt,"  Abijah  retorted  grimly. 

"  He'll  find  it  out  soon  enough.  The  likeness  is  dam 
natory!  "  replied  Deyo,  and  Abijah  only  shrugged  again. 
They  fell  silent,  and  Barbara's  girlish  chatter  reached 
them,  and  Phelps'  fatuous  replies. 

"  Hurstville!  "  yelled  the  brakeman,  opening  the  doors 
to  the  icy  outside  air,  and  all  the  passengers  prepared  to 
disembark.  Phelps  went  jauntily  back  to  his  seat  for  his 
overcoat  and  valise,  and  Abijah  made  a  compact  bundle  of 
his  son,  by  the  simple  process  of  wrapping  his  coat  firmly 
around  him  instead  of  putting  it  on  properly. 


14  THE   PANG-YANGER 

"  Oh,  say — by  Jove — you  know,  'Bijah,  oughtn't  you  to 
put  his  arms  in,  or  something?  I'll — er — help,"  Deyo 
exclaimed  as  Bead  laid  the  still  sleeping  child  back  on  the 
seat,  while  with  one  general  movement  he  got  into  his  own 
ulster  and  turned  up  the  collar  in  a  business-like  way. 

'  No  use.  He's  just  as  warm  and  it's  less  trouble  so. 
He  won't  wake  up.  Come  out,  if  you  can,  while  you're  on, 
this  time.  If  you  can't — good-bye  until  next  time,"  said 
Mr.  Bead,  cordially  extending  his  hand. 

"  I  can't  this  time;  and,  I  say,  'Bijah— 

"Yes?" 

'  The  boy  may  not  inherit  your  fondness  for  butting  up 
against  things.  Don't  make  it  too  hard  for  the  little  chap. 
I'm  self-constituted  godfather  to  the  boy,  and  I'll  fight  if 
you  do." 

"  All  right,  thanks.  But  don't  lose  any  sleep  on  our  ac 
count,"  replied  Bead  drily,  and  Deyo  went  back  to  his 
Aunt  Lois,  while  Mr.  Phelps,  sumptuously  enveloped  in 
a  fur-lined  overcoat,  waited  in  the  aisle  between  Miss 
Hurst  and  Abijah,  and,  overflowing  in  good-fellowship, 
addressed  them  alternately,  to  their  mutual  disgust. 

'  We  is  sut'nly  gwine  to  freeze  to  def  and  perish  to  def, 
lady,"  exclaimed  Mam'  Lilly,  hovering  over  the  red-hot 
stove  in  the  empty  waiting-room,  where  Mr.  Phelps  had 
left  them  while  he  went  in  search  of  the  Hurst  equipage. 

Barbara  Hurst  laughed  blithely,  her  long  dormant 
Northern  blood  aflame  in  her  cheeks  at  the  first  rude  kiss 
of  the  cold. 

"  It's  fine!  "  she  said,  waltzing  towards  the  door,  but 
paused  decorously,  as  steps  approached,  and  Bcnji  Phelps 
entered,  followed  by  a  hulking  youth,  coated  several  deep, 
and  hugely  gloved.  "  Here's  Mike.  Now  we  must  get 
you  well  wrapped  up  at  the  start.  Is  this  your  first  sleigh- 
ride,  Miss  Hurst?"  asked  Mr.  Phelps,  as  the  boy  led 
the  way  out  to  the  sleigh. 


CHAPTER  ONE  15 

"  Yes,  we  never  have  enough  snow  for  practical  pur 
poses  at  home." 

"  Miss  Zillah  sent  ye  this  cloak,"  said  Mike,  presenting 
a  long  fur-lined  garment,  which  Barbara  handed  to  Mam' 
Lilly. 

"  Put  it  on  yourself,"  she  said,  shaking  it  off  as  Mam' 
Lilly  laid  it  across  her  shoulders. 

'  You  will  need  it,  Miss  Hurst,"  adjured  Mr.  Phelps,  as 
he  helped  her  into  the  sleigh. 

;'  Not  as  much  as  she  will.  They  feel  the  cold  so,  and 
I  have  furs,"  said  Miss  Hurst,  drawing  an  inadequate  neck 
piece  closer. 

'  Well,  put  your  feet  down  on  the  soapstone.  Find  it? 
That's  right.  I  hope  you  are  not  frozen  before  you  reach 
home.  Good-night.  Remember — we  are  neighbours," 
and  Mr.  Phelps  offered  his  hand. 

'  Yes,  indeed:  please  bring  Mrs.  Phelps  to  see  me  right 
soon,"  said  the  girl,  frankly  cordial. 

''  I  certainly  shall.  All  ready,  Mike;  make  good  time! 
Good-night." 

"  Good-night,"  echoed  Barbara,  and  the  bells  flung  out 
a  sudden  jangle  as  the  horses  sprang  forward. 

The  road  from  the  station  to  the  village  lay  for  a  mile 
at  the  bottom  of  a  deep  gorge  in  the  hills,  protected 
from  the  full  force  of  the  wind;  but  as  it  debouched 
from  the  ravine  the  gale  swept  down  upon  it;  Barbara 
gave  a  gasp  as  the  wind  caught  away  her  breath  and 
involuntarily  bent  her  face  downward  upon  the  robes, 
Mike  settled  deeper  into  his  collar,  and  the  runners  of  the 
sleigh  skirled  on  the  dry  snow.  The  horses  were  white 
with  their  own  congealed  breath,  and  as  their  feet  fell 
into  rhythmic  measure  with  the  jangling  bells,  the  un 
familiar  accompaniment  wrought  a  semi-oblivion  in  which 
Barbara  became  submerged  for  an  entirely  indefinite  length 
of  time.  Then,  suddenly,  everything  came  to  an  end 


1 6  THE  PANG-YANGER 

at  once,  and  she  raised  her  head  drowsily  to  find  the  sleigh 
had  stopped,  close  at  the  foot  of  steps  leading  up  to  a 
broad  porch.  As  Mike  lifted  her  from  the  sleigh  the  door 
of  the  house  opened,  and  in  the  red  glow  of  firelight  leap 
ing  out  around  her,  a  tall,  stately  woman  held  out  her  hand 
as  Barbara  stumbled  toward  her. 

"  I'm  afraid  you  are  half  frozen,"  she  said,  and 
Barbara,  too  benumbed  to  notice  the  restraint  of  the  greet 
ing,  clung  to  the  warm  fingers  like  a  child,  without  a 
word. 

"  Come  in  quickly,"  said  Zillah  Hurst.  She  made  no 
pretence  of  detaining  the  clinging  fingers,  but  she  drew 
Barbara  into  the  hall  and  led  her  to  a  seat  by  a  great  open 
fire  which  was  making  all  the  cheer  a  good  fire  should. 
Barbara  sat  where  she  was  placed,  dumbly  thawing  and 
conscious  only  of  the  painful  process,  as  the  heat  lapped 
her  around.  After  a  moment's  scrutiny  Zillah  stooped, 
and  began  to  pull  off  her  gloves. 

"  I  suppose  you  are  Cousin  Zillah,"  said  the  girl  dully, 
and  the  elder  smiled  circumspectly. 

"  I  am  Zillah.  The  relationship  is  remote  enough  to 
be  optional,"  she  said,  and  Barbara  stared.  She  came 
of  a  people  who  make  much  of  kinship. 

1  Would  you  like  a  cup  of  hot  coffee?  It  is  all  ready," 
enquired  Zillah,  kindly  enough. 

'  Thank  you.     Before  I  see  grandmother?  " 

"  I  think  you  better,"  said  Zillah  decidedly,  and  lifting 
a  portiere  beside  a  huge  old  clock,  she  suddenly  disap 
peared,  very  much  as  if  she  had  stepped  into  it,  and  the 
full-faced  timepiece  began  counting  the  seconds  aloud  in  a 
non-committal  tone. 

The  wind,  raging  furiously  in  the  trees  outside,  intensi 
fied  the  quietness  within,  and  the  apartment  in  which  she  sat 
seemed  at  first  familiar  to  the  girl.  The  hall  was  large  and 
square,  like  many  Southern  hallways;  but  it  was  furnished 


CHAPTER  ONE  17 

like  a  museum.  High,  plain,  glass-framed  cases  lined  all 
the  available  wall  space,  and  were  filled  with  curios  instead 
of  books;  and  in  the  niche  formed  as  the  winding  stairway 
followed  a  spindling  mahogany  balustrade  upward,  there 
stood  an  enormous  Chinese  vase — man  high — and  embel 
lished  by  a  swarming  green  dragon  of  malignant  aspect. 
There  was  an  air  of  orderly  solitude  upon  the  place ;  a  cer 
tain  nautical  snugness  of  arrangement  suggestive  of  the 
sailor  grandfather,  of  whom  the  histories  made  men 
tion  as  a  factor  in  the  fame  of  our  early  predatory 
marine.  After  a  cursory  survey  of  her  surroundings, 
Barbara's  eyes  came  back  to  the  present  cheer  of  the  blaz 
ing  fire;  and  as  its  warmth  released  her  brain  from  the 
lethargy  of  cold,  the  formality  of  her  reception  produced 
a  secondary  chill.  Involuntarily  she  drew  her  feet  back 
from  the  comfortable  glow,  and  raised  herself  from  the 
abandon  into  which  she  had  sunk.  The  fire  continued  a 
hospitable  murmur,  but  the  solemn  old  clock  tick-tocked  a 
warning,  and  in  the  flickering  light  the  dragon  on  the  tall 
vase  took  on  active  demonstrations  of  malignancy  and 
ramped  outrageously,  leering  obscurely  towards  her.  Bar 
bara  was  very  glad  when  his  performances  were  put  to 
an  end,  by  the  sound  of  footsteps  above ;  unseen  footsteps 
at  first,  but  stepping  downward  with  a  quiet  heaviness  of 
reassuring  materiality,  to  the  weary  girl,  half  hypnotised 
alone  in  the  firelight. 

A  very  stately  dame,  old,  stern,  and  wrinkled  exceed 
ingly,  came  slowly  down  the  curving  stairway.  Silvery 
curls  escaped  her  cap,  and  touched  her  cheek  and  forehead 
lightly,  but  the  grim  expression  of  the  small  old  face  was 
unsoftened  by  this  halo,  and  there  was  no  saving  grace  in 
her  attire.  Straight  and  scant  her  black  skirt  fell  down 
from  her  broad,  gaunt  hips,  and  a  little  triangle  of  a 
shawl  reached  exactly  the  point  on  her  shoulders  to  in 
crease  their  stoop.  A  very  long  arm,  in  a  wrinkled 


1 8  THE  PANG-YANGER 

sleeve,  touched  the  balustrade  in  her  descent,  and  the  cal 
culated  precision  of  her  movements  made  their  awkward 
ness  seem  irritatingly  intentional. 

She  stopped  deliberately  on  the  stairs  just  above  the 
green  dragon,  and  looked  down  at  Barbara  with  keen, 
faded  eyes. 

"  How  do  you  do?  "  she  said  in  a  low,  cold  voice,  like 
Zillah's,  and  without  waiting  for  reply  she  came  on,  step 
ping  quietly,  heavily  downward. 

"  If  this  is  my  grandmother,  I  shall  go  back  home 
mighty  soon.  But  she  looks  like  Zillah ;  it  is  Aunt  Helen,  I 
suppose,"  thought  Barbara,  getting  hastily  upon  her  feet 
and  advancing  punctiliously  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs.  But 
there  was  no  spontaneity  in  the  act;  cordiality  seemed 
somehow  a  frivolous  affectation;  and  she  felt  her  own 
smile  set  and  stiffen  into  something  like  Zillah's,  as  she 
summoned  hardihood  to  extend  her  hand.  The  austere 
old  lady  took  it  loosely  on  her  way  to  the  fireplace,  and 
Barbara  watched  her  deliberately  step  out  of  her  route  to 
displace  a  couple  of  comfortably  disposed  chairs.  She 
took  her  stand  upon  the  hearthrug  and  faced  Barbara  with 
the  air  of  one  in  authority. 

"  Won't  yeou  have  a  chair  by  the  fire?  Yeou  must  be 
dretful  tired  and  cold — coming  'way  up  north  here  this 
time  of  the  year,"  said  Mrs.  Helen  Hurst,  warming  her 
own  long  skeleton  hands  before  the  blaze,  and  looking 
sidewise  at  Barbara  sharply. 

The  awkwardly  displaced  chairs  did  not  invite  repose, 
even  if  the  old  lady  had  not  been  standing,  and  Barbara 
made  a  little  furtive  gesture  of  negation.  Something  made 
her  vaguely  conscious  of  unknown  derelictions.  Perhaps, 
for  some  reason,  she  ought  not  to  have  "  come  'way  up 
north  at  this  time  of  year  "  ?  And  the  next  moment  she 
didn't  care. 

"  I  assure  you  there  is  no  occasion  for  concern  on  my 


CHAPTER  ONE  19 

account,"  she  murmured,  and,  to  her  surprise,  there  seemed 
some  occult  cause  of  offence  in  the  conventional  words. 
Mrs.  Helen  Hurst  gave  her  a  suspicious  glance,  and  there 
was  a  moment's  strained  silence. 

''  Did  yeou  jest  get  here?  "  the  old  lady  enquired  stiffly. 

"  Yes,"  said  Barbara. 

"What  has  Zillah  left  yeou  alone  for?  I  don't  see 
why  she  didn't  take  yeou  right  in  to  Felishie;  come  right  in 
neow,"  and  Mrs.  Hurst  went  down  the  hall  and  uncere 
moniously  opened  the  door  into  Madam  Hurst's  apart 
ments. 

'  Well,  Felishie,  here  she  is!  "  The  announcement  dep 
recated  any  undue  expectation  of  the  event,  and  Barbara 
had  to  follow  the  introduction  with  what  of  grace  she 
could. 

She  paused  on  the  threshold  of  a  large  apartment,  lit 
softly,  like  a  dim  old  religious  picture,  by  lamps  in  sconces 
upon  the  walls,  and  half  involuntarily  swept  a  courtesy  to 
the  stately  little  lady  who  sat  eagerly  erect  among  the 
cushions  of  an  invalid's  chair.  A  faint  flush  tinged  the 
delicate  old  face,  the  eyes  were  suffused,  and  the  little  out 
stretched  hands  were  tremulous. 

"  My  darling!  my  daughter!  "  cried  Felicite  Hurst  in 
thrilling  tenderness,  and  Barbara  went  swiftly  across  the 
room,  knelt  down  and  put  both  arms  around  her.  This 
was  the  veritable  fairy  godmother  of  her  imagination, 
only  daintier,  lovelier;  and  they  held  each  other  close — 
these  two — in  a  passion  of  tenderness. 

The  sun  was  filtering  through  the  heavy  crimson  cur 
tains,  filling  the  dim  room  with  a  rosy  glow  when  Bar 
bara  awoke  for  the  first  time  in  Hurstville. 

'Time  to  get  up?"  she  breathed  softly  to  the  dark, 
familiar  figure  in  the  rosy  light  between  her  and  her  strange 
surroundings. 


20  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  I  don'  reckon  'tis,  lady.  I  ain'  yeah  a  soun'  yet,''  re 
plied  the  mulattress,  and  crossing  to  the  window  she  caught 
back  the  curtains,  letting  in  a  flood  of  sunlight  through 
crystal  etchings  of  the  frost.  The  sight  was  novel  to  them, 
and  the  girl  sat  up  in  bed  with  a  low  cry  of  delight. 

"  How  lovely!  "  she  said,  but  Mam'  Lilly  put  a  cau 
tious  finger  on  the  coated  glass  and  shuddered. 

"  Dis  suttenly  am  de  norf  pole,"  she  said,  and  walked 
to  the  other  window,  where  a  bit  of  clear  glass  gave  her  a 
glimpse  of  the  outside  wintry  world. 

"Oh,  honey,  come  yere !  "  she  exclaimed  in  wonder, 
and  Barbara  scrambled  out  of  bed,  and  pattering  across 
the  room  in  her  bare  feet,  knelt  up  on  a  chair  beside  her 
to  peer  out  of  the  unfrosted  space. 

A  scintillant,  resplendent  world,  fair  blue  and  white 
beneath  a  crystal  film,  flashed  back  the  sunlight  to  the  far 
pale  sky.  Winter's  last  frosty  suspiration  lay  on  every  ob 
ject.  The  trees  and  shrubs  around  the  house  glittered  in  ice 
enamel,  an  opalescent  sheen  bent  down  the  level  hemlock 
boughs,  and  every  tiniest  blade  and  twig  above  the  drifted 
snow  was  spangled  and  sparkling  with  hoarfrost.  The 
old  Hurst  house  stood  well  back  from  the  street,  and  the 
lawn  was  fence-deep  under  crested  drifts,  swept  in,  the 
night  before,  from  the  street  and  opposite  lawn,  where 
now  the  bare,  brown  earth  had  crystallised  in  shining 
rhombs  and  prisms.  Barbara's  nose  almost  froze  fast  to 
the  window  as  she  gazed,  for  the  first  time,  upon  the 
splendours  of  the  Northern  winter. 

"  My  king,  ain't  it  gran' !  Jes'  like  yo'  Christmas 
cards,  lady;  di'mond  dusty  an'  w'ite,"  said  Mam'  Lilly, 
who  had  breathed  a  place  of  observation  on  another 
pane. 

"  It's — it's  inexpressible!  I'm  going  out!  I  am  going 
to  get  out  into  the  splendour  of  it!  Help  me  dress,  can't 
you?"  cried  Barbara,  and  she  seized  the  comb,  while 


CHAPTER  ONE  21 

Mam'  Lilly  sat  down  on  the  floor  before  her  and  drew 
the  long  limp  stockings  over  the  slender  limbs. 

"  Quality  feet  mus'  be  des'tute  of  sensibility,"  she  com 
mented  drily,  dodging  the  hairbrush,  as  she  buttoned  the 
snug-fitting  shoes. 

"Where  are  my  wraps?"  demanded  Barbara,  when 
their  united  efforts  had  finished  her  toilet. 

;'  I  see  dern  down  in  the  hall  las'  night;  honey,  I's  afraid 
you  gwine  to  freeze  to  def  and  perish  to  def  ef  you  go  out 
do'.  It's  splendid,  but,  my  king,  it  mus'  be  dead  col'," 
said  Mam'  Lilly  uneasily,  as  Babara  started. 

"  But  I'm  just  obliged  to  go  out  and  see  it !  "  said  Bar 
bara,  and  she  softly  closed  the  chamber  door  behind  her. 

No  hint  of  the  outside  splendour  reached  the  dusky  hall. 
Barbara  thought  the  solemn  timepiece  had  an  incoherent 
moment  as  she  tried  to  fall  in  step  with  it  coming  down 
the  winding  stairway,  but  afterwards  it  beat  on  regularly 
again,  and  the  quiet  of  the  place  was  less  impressive  than 
it  had  been  the  night  before.  So  much  so  that,  when  the 
green  dragon  glared  at  her  reappearance,  she  had  him  by 
the  head  and  curling  tail  in  a  twinkling,  dismembered  from 
the  rest  of  his  squirming  anatomy  upon  the  jar.  A  faint 
aromatic  musty  odour,  unlike  any  she  knew,  suggest 
ing  mummies  or  some  uncanniness,  crept  up  out  of  the  un 
covered  vase,  to  the  inquisitive  little  nose  thrust  over  it, 
and  Barbara  hastily  replaced  the  cover.  As  she  turned 
the  big  brass  knob  upon  the  big  black  lock  of  the  great 
Dutch  door,  only  the  lower  half  came  open. 

For  a  moment  she  stood  in  the  flood  of  cold  air  that 
rushed  in  upon  her  feet,  looking  up  at  the  formidable  iron 
bolt  of  the  upper  section.  It  was  far  above  her  reach, 
and, — it  was  undignified, — but  she  caught  up  the  tail  of 
her  gown  and  ducked  under  the  upper  portion  of  the  door. 

Blinded  by  the  radiance,  she  shaded  her  eyes  with  her 
hand,  and  looked  away  to  the  mountains  so  softly,  radi- 


2i  THE  PANG-YANGER 

antly  blue,  shadow  and  substance  indistinguishable  as 
they  melted  upward  in  the  turquoise  sky.  The  frosty, 
exhilarating  air  set  her  blood  tingling,  and  she  stood 
with  uplifted  head,  drinking  deep  draughts  of  the  chill 
elixir. 

"  Go  back  into  the  house!  Do  you  want  to  have  pneu 
monia,  first  thing?  Yes,  yon!  "  cried  suddenly  a  gruff 
voice  from  the  street,  and  Barbara  dropped  her  eyes  from 
the  mountains.  An  irascible  old  gentleman,  standing  be 
fore  the  house,  shook  his  hand  at  her  so  that  there  was  no 
mistaking  the  object  of  his  adjuration;  and  in  confirmation 
of  his  warning,  and  although  she  struggled  to  suppress  it, 
she  was  convulsed  by  a  violent  paroxysm  of  sneezing. 

"  There  now !  Take  liberties  with  a  strange  climate, 
will  you?  You  go  in  and  tell  Miss  Zillah  I  say  you  are  to 
have  a  dose  of  quinine!  "  said  the  old  gentleman,  executing 
an  involuntary  quickstep  on  the  slippery  pavement,  and 
saving  himself  by  clutching  at  the  gate.  This  gruff  neigh 
bour  amused  Barbara;  she  replied  recriminatingly : 

"  It's  a  case  of  suggestion.  I  hadn't  the  remotest  idea 
of  taking  cold  until  you  came  along  and  mentioned  it." 

Old  Dr.  Pomfret's  eyes  twinkled  beneath  the  visor  of 
his  fur  cap.  His  eccentricities  received  the  polite  toler 
ance  of  the  ladies  Hurst,  but  here  was  a  recrudescence  of 
a  time  when  bluff  old  Captain  Hurst  had  been  his  friend 
and  patron. 

"  What  business  have  you  to  know  anything  about  '  sug 
gestion'?"  he  growled.  "You  go  in  and  take  some 
quinine,  as  I  told  you.  I'll  come  in  and  say  howdy-do  to 
you  when  I  get  time.  You  make  me  think  of  the  old  cap 
tain,  my  girl,"  and  his  tone  was  more  conventional. 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  Glad  to  see  you  whenever  you  '  have 
time'  "  the  girl  responded  airily. 

"  But  you've  no  business  out  without  your  wraps!  I've 
promised  Madam  daily,  for  six  weeks,  that  I'd  look 


CHAPTER  ONE  23 

after  you  until  you  get  acclimated;  and  I'm  a  man  of  my 
word." 

"  Acclimating  will  be  easy,  I  imagine.  I  like  this  !  It's 
simply  magnificent  this  morning.  My  Yankee  blood  re 
sponds  to  its  native  air." 

'  Your  Yankee  blood  will  respond  to  a  good  old- 
fashioned  cold  if  you  don't  mind  me,"  growled  the  doctor, 
and  Barbara  smiled  bewilderingly  down  upon  him  as  she 
retreated  backward,  and  with  a  deep  involuntary  courtesy 
disappeared  under  the  half-open  door. 

"  Chip  of  the  old  block — devilish  attractive!  "  thought 
the  doctor  as  he  trudged  up  the  street.  He  prided  him 
self  upon  a  vigour  which  enabled  him,  at  threescore,  still 
to  carry  on  the  largest  practice  in  the  county,  and  several 
times  during  the  day,  as  he  went  from  bedside  to  bedside, 
the  vision  of  the  brightened  portal  of  the  dismal  old 
Hurst  homestead  brought  a  rejuvenating  thrill. 

From  the  long  French-windowed  dining-room  of  the 
house  across  the  way,  the  rencontre  had  been  witnessed  and 
enjoyed  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benji  Phelps,  at  breakfast. 

;'  Is  she  pretty,  Benji?  "  enquired  Mrs.  Phelps  with  in 
terest,  as  she  filled  her  husband's  cup  from  the  silver  coffee 
urn.  She  was  herself  a  woman  of  that  splendid  Titian 
type  which  the  gods  at  rare  intervals  vouchsafe  the  world, 
lest  the  standard  of  perfection  be  forgotten. 

"  Nothing  to  kill,  but  she's  awfully  jolly.  She'll  wake 
up  those  three  old  ladies!  "  chuckled  Mr.  Phelps. 

"  Miss  Zillah  is  not  an  old  lady,  unless  /  am  one." 

'  Different  case!  She's  mothered  those  other  two  till 
she's  older  than  they  are." 

"  I  imagine  Zillah  Hurst  has  had  no  easy  life,  between 
a  French  Catholic  and  a  primitive  Methodist;  and  Mrs. 
Helen  tells  me  this  girl  has  been  brought  up  a  regular 
atheist  by  her  Southern  grandfather." 

"  Gee  whiz,  what  a  conglomeration!     That  poor  girl 


24  THE  PANG-YANGER 

will  be  bored  to  death.  Let's  go  over  soon,  Sally,"  said 
Mr.  Phelps,  who,  though  tremendously  enamoured  of  the 
beautiful  woman  who  handed  him  his  coffee  each  morn 
ing,  was  of  a  social  disposition. 

Mrs.  Phelps  smiled  a  languid  assent.  She  was  slow  in 
movement  and  deliberate  in  speech,  and  in  the  fraternising 
of  old  county  families  like  the  Hursts  and  Phelpses,  bore 
herself  with  a  reserve  the  source  of  which  was  a  profound 
mystery  to  her  husband.  She  went  around  the  table  now, 
and  sitting  down  on  the  arm  of  his  chair,  slipped  her  arm 
around  his  neck.  Whatever  her  attitude  towards  the  rest 
of  the  world,  she  was  a  winsome  woman  in  his  house,  and 
her  husband  put  his  arm  around  her  with  a  realising  sense 
of  his  high  privileges. 

"  I  wonder  what  that  poor  girl  will  do  for  the  next  two 
hours,  alone  in  that  old  house?  They  never  get  up  till 
nine  or  ten  o'clock,"  she  said,  gazing  absently  across  the 
street.  "  I  always  thought  Southerners  were  lazy,  but  this 
one  don't  seem  to  be  that  way." 

"  You'll  like  her,  Sally;  she  is  just  your  sort,"  said  the 
discriminating  Mr.  Phelps. 

His  wife  gave  him  a  queer  look.  "  I  suppose  she  will 
be  an  acquisition  in  this  humdrum  place.  Oh,  Benji,  boy, 
I'm  so  tired  of  it.  In  an  hour  all  that  "  (pointing  to  the 
glittering  splendour  outside)  "  will  be  gone,  and  then 
think  of  the  mud!  I  wish  you  would  take  me  abroad  this 
spring." 

Mr.  Phelps  held  his  wife  back  at  arm's  length  and 
looked  at  her  significantly  without  speaking,  until  she 
flushed  to  the  tips  of  her  pretty  ears,  and  struggled  back 
into  his  arms. 

u  I  don't  care!  It  wouldn't  do  a  particle  of  harm,  and 
I  want  to  go!  "  she  said. 

"  I'll  take  you  south  for  a  month  or  so,  but  I  don't 
think  you  ought  to  think  of  going  abroad  this  year." 


CHAPTER  ONE  25 

"  I  won't  go  south !  I  want  a  change !  Everything's 
alike  in  this  country.  I  want  to  dress  up  and  go  to  court, 
I  want  to  see  some  of  the  old  rural  inns  of  England. 
One  hotel  is  just  like  another  here,  and  I  hate  them  all. 
Don't  you  ever  feel  as  though  you'd  like  to  get  rid  of 
everybody  and  everything  you  ever  knew?  " 

"  Nope.  I  like  the  people  and  places  I  know,  best;  and 
I  guess  you  do  too,  only  you  don't  know  what  you  want 
just  now." 

'  I  do.  I  want  a  change.  This  monotony  is  getting  on 
my  nerves,  and  you  know  that's  bad  for  me." 

'  I'll  take  you  over  next  fall;  though  you  know  I'm  on 
the  brink  of  the  grave  if  a  zephyr  blows." 

"  But  you  always  feel  so  much  better  after  you  get  over 
it,  Benji!  Let's  go  over  this  spring.  I  want  to  see  the 
spring  in  England  that  Browning  writes  of." 

'  Want  your  son  to  be  a  Hinglishman,  do  you — 
ma'am?  " 

"  Oh,  nonsense!    Will  you  go,  Ben?  " 

"  I'll  talk  to  Dr.  Pomfret  about  it." 

"  Then  you  won't  go.  He's  an  old  fogy,  and  he'll 
shout  'no!'  just  from  habitual  crustiness.  I  never  did 
like  Dr.  Pomfret.  Use  your  own  common-sense,  dear, 
and  talk  to  mother.  How  can  it  hurt  me,  when  I  was  so 
perfectly  well  at  sea?  "  she  pleaded  in  her  most  irresistible 
manner. 

Mr.  Phelps  weakened.  "  I  never  heard  of  such  a 
freak,"  he  grumbled,  "  and  what  Dad  '11  say  I  can't  im 
agine.  The  work's  piling  up,  and  he  depends  on  me 
more  than  you  seem  to  think.  I've  no  business  to  cut  the 
shop  just  now." 

"  Oh,  he  can  get  some  one  else  to  look  after  the  bank," 
replied  his  wife  with  a  comfortable  assurance  which  piqued 
him. 

"  Thanks!     I'm  not  of  much  account,  I  know,  but  Dad 


26  THE   PANG-YANGER 

and  I  put  up  a  good  bluff  about  it,  and  tfi'^rybody  isn't 
so  sharp  to  call  us.  Some  of  the  fellows  in  the  bank  really 
stand  in  fear  of  my  '  eagle  eye,'  and  we  can't  trust  every 
body  in  the  position  I'm  holding  down,  even  if  we  can 
easily  fill  the  place,  as  far  as  ability  goes,"  he  said  huffily, 
and  Mrs.  Phelps  put  both  arms  around  his  neck  in  a  quick, 
strangling  hug. 

"  You  goose!  "  she  whispered. 


II 

IF  Abijah  Bead  outraged  his  own  as  he  did  his  neigh 
bours'  conscience,  he  should  have  been  habitually 
hag-ridden  or  sleepless  o'  nights;  whereas  his  slum 
bers  were  unvisited  by  any  of  the  impish  crew  supposed  to 
frisk  around  the  sinner's  pillow.  Either  a  robust  moral  di 
gestion  effected  a  comfortable  assimilation  of  his  sins,  or 
the  neighbourly  opinion  of  his  turpitude  was  ill-founded; 
for,  that  he  slept,  and  that  right  soundly,  was  proclaimed 
abroad  by  the  nasal  trumpeting  wherewith  he  accompanied 
his  enjoyment  of  a  repose  not  always  possible  for  better 
men  in  earshot. 

He  slept  as  usual,  or  better,  during  the  first  night  his 
son  passed  beneath  his  roof,  but  at  early  dawn  a  whimper 
like  a  lone  puppy's  wakened  him,  and  he  lay  blinking  at 
the  pallid  frost-blurred  window,  and  drowsily  wondered  if 
one  of  the  dogs  had  gotten  into  the  room,  until  the  whim 
per  changed  to  a  sob,  and  he  remembered  Rob,  and 
glanced  across  the  room.  A  small  figure  sat  huddled  on 
the  floor  beside  the  bed,  crying  softly. 

"  Hello!  wasn't  that  bed  big  enough?  "  demanded  Mr. 
Bead. 

The  boy  scrambled  to  his  feet  and  peered  across  the 
dusky  chamber. 

"Is  it  my  father?"  he  asked  dubiously;  he  lisped 
slightly,  and  spoke  slowly  to  obviate  it. 

"  Bet  yer  life,"  said  Mr.  Bead  heartily. 

Rob  advanced  into  the  middle  of  the  room  and  took 
stock  of  his  surroundings.  He  had  been  asleep  when  put 
to  bed. 

27 


28  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  What  makes  you  sleep  in  such  a  little  bed?  "  he  de 
manded. 

Mr.  Bead  cautiously  stretched  himself,  and  the  cot  he 
had  set  up  hastily  the  night  before  creaked  ominously. 

"  I  thought  perhaps  you  wouldn't  fall  out  of  the  bed 
in  the  bed-sink.  What's  the  matter?  Did  you  hurt  your 
self?  "  for  Rob  was  trying  to  view  himself  posteriorly. 

"  My  nightie  is  on  hindside  before,"  the  child  announced 
in  surprise. 

"  Maybe  that  was  what  made  you  fall  out,"  suggested 
Mr.  Bead  lazily. 

"  Oh,  no!  I  most  usually  do  fall  out.  Did  you  un 
dress  me?  " 

'  Yep." 

'  What  made  you  put  my  nightie  on  this  way?  " 

"  My  nightshirt  buttons  in  front — why  don't  yours?  I 
should  think  you'd  be  liable  to  wrench  yourself  climbing 
for  buttons  behind." 

"  Mrs.  Kemp  always  buttons  me  up,  an'  this  is  a  nightie, 
not  a  nightshirt.  Didn't  you  ever  undress  a  little  boy  be 
fore?" 

'  Yes;  but  it  was  a  long  time  ago." 

'Where  is  he?  You  said  you  hadn't  any  little  boys 
but  me." 

11  I  haven't." 

14  Is  he  dead,  like  Mrs.  Kemp?" 

"  No,  he  escaped  hanging  and  grew  up,  more's  the 
pity." 

'  Was  he  a  bad  little  boy?  "  asked  the  wondering  voice. 

"  I  rather  think  he  was.  But  see  here,  young  man, 
you're  taking  advantage  of  your  size  to  wake  a  man  up  in 
the  night  for  his  biography.  Besides,  you'll  freeze  stand 
ing  there.  Get  back  into  bed.  There's  time  for  another 
snooze  before  breakfast." 

Rob  hopped  blithely  toward  him,  and  laying  hold  on 


CHAPTER  TWO  29 

the  bedclothes  clambered  over  him  into  the  cot,  an  ar 
rangement  Mr.  Bead  had  not  contemplated:  but  he  stoic 
ally  made  room  at  his  side,  and  as  the  child  snuggled 
down  against  him  and  took  his  neck  in  a  choky  embrace, 
the  feel  of  the  soft  little  body  against  his  own,  the  parental 
office  thus  confidently  requisitioned,  afforded  him  an  un 
expected  and  defiant  satisfaction.  Unlike  other  fathers, 
who  assume  parental  responsibility  as  a  matter  of  fact 
or  force,  Abijah  Bead  had  been  at  special  pains  to  appro 
priate  his.  And  now  he  lay  for  the  first  time  with  his  son 
on  his  arm  and  faced  the  dawn,  grimly  complacent.  There 
had  been  many  looks  of  baffled  recognition  the  night  be 
fore.  His  son's  extraordinary  likeness  to  the  woman 
whom  he  hated,  would  bring  her  sin  home  to  her  without 
a  word  of  his.  His  sombre  eyes  glowed  with  the  thought 
as  he  held  their  child  to  his  breast. 

The  regular  soft  breath  against  the  sturdy  column  of 
his  throat  was  broken.  Rob  pushed  back  and  looked  up 
at  him,  so  like,  so  very  like,  that  other  face  of  melting 
roseleaf  hue,  which  had  lain  there  on  his  arm!  Mr. 
Bead  did  not  regret  the  past,  nor  curse  the  present,  but  he 
wondered  greatly  about  the  future,  as  he  looked  down  at 
his  son. 

'  Do  you  think  Mrs.  Kemp  has  got  to  heaven  yet?  " 
Rob  whispered  reverently. 

"  I  suppose  she  has,"  replied  Mr.  Bead,  hastily  ascend 
ing  from  the  nether  regions. 

''  Didn't  she  get  there  pretty  quick?  " 

Mr.  Bead,  formulating  a  provisional  creed,  opined  that 
such  rapid  transition  was  not  exceptional  for  the  exceed 
ingly  righteous. 

'  I  don't  understand  you.  I  miss  Mrs.  Kemp  drefful," 
said  Rob  with  a  heavy  sigh. 

In  his  unwisdom  Mr.  Bead  did  not  change  the  subject. 
He  attempted  consolation  and  reasonably  pointed  out  that 


30  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  dead,  being  dead,  were  irretrievably  departed:  but  that 
there  remained  yet  sources  of  consolation  on  the  earth, 
which   he   hastily   enumerated   as    Rob's   lips   quivered— 
"  Horses!   You  can  ride,  you  know!  and  cows!  and  pigs! 
and  chickens!  and  dogs  and  cats!  and— 

"I  want  Mrs.  Kemp!  I  want  Mrs.  Kemp!"  wailed 
Rob,  suddenly  bursting  into  resounding  lamentations. 

"My  God,  Rob,  don't  cry!"  adjured  Mr.  Bead  so 
vehemently  that  Rob  caught  his  breath  and  stopped  a 
moment. 

'  You  forget  you're  with  father  now,  I  guess.  I  tell 
you  we're  going  to  have  more  fun  than  a  bag  of  monkeys 
together,  here  on  the  farm.  On  the  farm— 

But  Rob's  attention  was  not  distracted :  he  gave  way  to 
unrestricted  grief,  which  echoed  through  the  silent  house. 

Mr.  Bead  promptly  squelched  the  uproar  beneath  the 
blankets,  patted  the  small  bundle  underneath  until  the  sob 
bing  ceased,  then  raised  the  corner  carefully  and  peeped 
under.  Rob  was  wiping  his  eyes  and  nose  on  the  front 
of  his  nightshirt,  and  trying  to  swallow  his  sobs. 

"  That's  right,"  Mr.  Bead  approved  heartily.  "  That's 
like  a  man!  I  can't  have  my  pard  a  cry-baby!  I  think 
we  better  get  up,  don't  you  ?  Don't  you  want  to  ride 
horseback?  "  It  was  his  own  panacea  for  many  an  ill. 

'  Yes,"  assented  Rob  in  a  subdued  voice,  and  the  dis 
cordant  tooting  of  a  horn  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  made  him 
listen  in  wonder. 

'  That's  breakfast,  and  we'd  better  tumble  out,"  said 
Mr.  Bead,  setting  the  example  in  a  way  that  delighted  Rob. 
There  came  the  sound  of  mighty  yawnings  and  unsup- 
pressed,  from  the  next  room,  and  the  deep  murmur  of 
men's  voices. 

"  What's  in  there?  "  Rob  whispered. 

Mr.  Bead's  head  was  half  submerged  in  a  bowl  of  icy 
water. 


CHAPTER  TWO  31 

"  Just — the — boys,"  he  spluttered,  spattering  water 
right  and  left. 

"  Boys?  "  queried  Rob,  watching  the  vigorous  towelling 
with  fascination  from  his  seat  on  the  cot. 

"  The  men  who  work  the  farm,  you  know." 

"  Oh,  can  I  see  them  do  it?  " 

'  Why,  certainly.     We  have  to  help." 

'  You  said  I  could  have  a  little  chicken  for  my  ownty 
own." 

"  Well,  what  I  sez  I  stands  to;  you  can  have  'most  any 
thing,  if  you'll  promise  never  to  cry  any  more." 

"Not  ever!" 

''  No,  never.  You  see,  old  fellow,  it  embarrasses  me 
awfully  to  have  my  pard  cry.  Really,  I  don't  think  I  can 
stand  for  it." 

'  Well,  I  won't  cry  any  more." 

"  That's  the  stuff,"  commended  the  senior  partner,  bang 
ing  away  at  a  stubborn  lock  atop  of  his  big  head.  He 
was  a  large  man,  and  he  looked  gigantic  to  his  small  son, 
watching  the  process  of  a  man's  toilet  for  the  first  time. 

"  Are  you  very  old,  father?  "  he  asked  after  a  long  in 
spection. 

"  Oh,  yes,  a  regular  patriarch!     Why?  " 

"  Do  you  think  you'll  last  till  I'm  a  man?  " 

Abijah  grinned. 

"  I  guess  I've  got  gimp  enough  to  hang  on  till  you  can 
vote.  That  is,  if  you  don't  do  me  up  by  crying.  I  feel 
pretty  limp  this  morning.  There  is  nothing  which  ages 
one  like  crying,"  said  Mr.  Bead  impressively. 

"  I  won't  then,"  said  Rob,  suddenly  philosophic,  and  he 
rolled  over  on  his  little  belly  and  slid  backward  out  of  bed, 
his  gown  rucked  up  under  him  and  his  bare,  pink  body 
dangling  until  his  toes  touched  the  floor.  Then  he  turned 
round  and  scampered  past  his  father  to  a  pile  of  his  own 
clothing. 


32  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  You'd  better  get  back  into  that  bed,"  said  Mr.  Bead, 
struggling  with  his  shoestring,  but  Rob  sat  down  on  the 
floor  and  began  to  crowd  his  pliant  pink  toes  into  a  pair 
of  diminutive  boots.  Permission  to  wear  these  boots  to 
the  funeral  the  day  before  had  temporarily  assuaged  his 
grief  for  his  nurse.  He  paraded  with  mighty  strides 
around  his  father,  holding  up  his  gown,  which  impeded 
progress,  until  an  incautious  step  brought  him  within  reach 
of  the  parental  hand.  Then  he  was  scooped  up  and  tossed 
with  a  grand  tumble,  boots  and  all,  into  the  middle  of  the 
big  bed. 

"  Hi !  "  he  shouted  with  delight,  bouncing  on  the 
springs. 

4  You  mustn't  cut  around  like  this.  It's  chilly  round 
the  edges  this  morning,"  said  Mr.  Bead.  He  ruefully  re 
flected  that  he  should  require  a  stove  in  his  room  now,  and 
sighed,  foreboding  other  effeminate  concessions  in  his 
bachelor  menage.  As  he  sat  down  on  the  bed  and  took 
the  boy  between  his  knees,  Rob  shivered  and  snuggled  up 
against  him :  he  advised  upon  the  sequence  of  his  gar 
ments,  and  Mr.  Bead  was  patient,  but  the  souls  of  both 
were  tried  by  an  illogical  arrangement  whereby  one  button 
served  for  several  buttonholes. 

"  It's  a  regular  fool  way !  We  can't  be  pestered  like 
this,  pard.  The  tailor  will  have  to  build  you  a  sensible 
suit  as  soon  as  possible,"  said  Mr.  Bead,  inspecting  his  son, 
and  earnestly  praying  that  his  habiliments  were  not  con 
spicuously  misplaced.  Rob  hung  an  arm  over  each  of  his 
father's  knees  and  hung  suspended  while  his  necktie  was 
tied. 

"  Do  you  mean  pants,  father?  "  he  enquired  with  deep 
interest. 

"  Betcher  life  I  do.  No  petticoats  around  this  she 
bang." 

"Hurrah  for  pants!"  cried  Rob,  skipping  with  glee, 


CHAPTER  TWO  33 

and  "  Hurrah  for  pants!  "  shouted  Mr.  Bead  in  a  voice 
which  echoed  through  the  house,  as  he  swung  his  son  to  his 
shoulder.  Rob  shouted  with  delight  of  the  breath-catch 
ing  whirl,  and  seized  his  father's  head  in  a  close  embrace 
as  he  came  to  rest  beside  it.  Mr.  Bead  held  him  by  one 
leg  and  started  for  the  door. 

'  I  haven't  said  my  prayers,"  said  a  small  voice  close 
at  his  ear. 

"  By  Jove!  "  Mr.  Bead  tumbled  his  son  gently,  heels 
over  head,  to  the  floor,  and  Rob  went  soberly  and  knelt  by 
the  bed. 

'  When  I  awake  and  see  the  light,'  '  —he  said,  and 
stopped. 

'  When  I  awake  and  see  the  light,'  "  he  repeated,  but 
Mr.  Bead  had  reached  his  limit,  and  maintained  a  stolid 
silence. 

;<  I  don't  know  this  prayer  very  well,"  suggested  Rob, 
but  there  was  no  answer. 

"  '  When  I  awake  and  see  the  light.'  What  is  the  next, 
father?" 

"  I  know  that  I  have  slept  all  night,"  responded  Mr. 
Bead,  who  had  never  turned  a  rhyme  before  in  his  life,  and 
felt  proud  of  the  improvisation. 
"  Oh,  no,  that  isn't  right  at  all." 

"  Well,  my  son,  I'm  sorry  I  cannot  wrestle  in  prayer 
with  you  any  longer  this  morning,  but  my  duties,  not  to 
mention  appetite,  are  imperative.  You  better  finish  up 
somehow,  and  get  downstairs  as  soon  as  your  conscience 
will  permit,  for  it's  considerably  warmer  down  there,"  and 
Mr.  Bead  walked  to  the  door.  Rob  did  not  stir. 

4  When  I  awake  and  see  the  light,'  "  he  murmured  as 
his  father  caught  the  lintel  of  the  doorway  and  lightly 
swung  himself  under  it,  into  the  hall.  Abijah  Bead's 
old  house  was  a  snug  fit  for  its  stalwart  owner,  but  as  he 
lived  out  of  it  most  of  the  time,  its  inconvenience  did  not 


34  THE  PANG-YANGER 

annoy  him.  An  odour  of  griddle  cakes  from  the  kitchen 
greeted  him  pleasantly  on  the  narrow  stairway  as  he  went 
down,  three  steps  at  a  time,  and  the  clatter  of  dishes  min 
gled  with  men's  loud  voices. 

The  kitchen  was  filled  with  smoke,  through  which  the 
lamplight  was  paling  as  the  sun  crept  in  at  the  uncurtained 
windows.  Four  men  sat  at  breakfast  around  an  oilcloth- 
covered  table,  ruthlessly  demolishing  piles  of  smoking  buck 
wheat  cakes  as  fast  as  they  could  be  stacked  before  them, 
by  a  fifth  man,  who  presided  as  an  expert  at  the  griddle. 
Mr.  Bead  declared  no  one  but  a  Pang-Yanger  could  bake 
cakes  as  fast  and  as  brown  as  he  wanted  them,  and  Pete 
prided  himself  on  filling  the  requirements. 

There  was  a  chorus  of  "  Hello,  Boss !  "  as  Mr.  Bead  en 
tered,  but  no  one  stopped  eating  for  an  instant;  and  he  sat 
down  where  there  happened  to  be  a  vacancy,  for  it  was  a 
round  table  anyhow,  incapable  of  expressing  the  invidious 
distinction  of  the  salt. 

'  Where's  the  kid,  Boss?  "  enquired  a  square-shouldered 
man,  as  he  spread  flour-gravy  thickly  over  a  fresh  plateful 
of  cakes. 

"  Upstairs,  saying  his  prayers.  Pete,  the  boys  are  get 
ting  ahead  of  you  this  morning,"  said  Mr.  Bead,  appro 
priating  the  last  cakes  on  the  plate  nearest. 

"  Here's  some  hot  ones,  Mr.  Bead,"  said  the  cook,  ex 
tending  a  plateful  at  arm's  length  across  the  room,  as  he 
greased  the  griddle.  Mr.  Bead  tipped  back  in  his  chair 
and  reached  for  the  plate.  He  possessed  an  appetite  pro 
portioned  to  his  size  and  no  nice  scruples  about  satisfying 
it  in  the  speediest  fashion  possible. 

"How's  the  wood  coming  on,  Ez?  All  out?"  he 
asked. 

"  'Most  all,"  replied  Ezra,  the  square-shouldered  man 
who  had  asked  for  Rob. 

"  I  thought  you'd  have  it  all  out,  the  goin's  been  so  good. 


CHAPTER  TWO  35 

Got  a  corner  on  eggs,  Gid?  "  enquired  the  master  crisply, 
looking  across  the  table  at  a  smooth-faced  country  boy  of 
extreme  length  and  lankness,  who  smiled  sheepishly  and 
pushed  a  platter  of  fried  pork  and  eggs  toward  him. 

"  I'm  going  to  the  woods  this  morning,  Ez.  How's 
things  been  going  your  way,  Rud?  "  Mr.  Bead  looked 
sharply  at  a  sullen  man  who  ate  ravenously  and  did  not 
raise  his  eyes,  as  he  grunted  an  inarticulate  response. 

"  Oi'm  afther  thinking,  sur,  'tis  no  manner  of  use  at  all, 
at  all  to  be  over  pious,"  suddenly  observed  old  Jerry  after 
a  busy  silence,  and  all  the  men  looked  up  at  him,  expect 
ant. 

"  That's  one  thing  I  have  never  been  accused  of,"  re 
sponded  Mr.  Bead  firmly. 

'  Thrue  for  ye,  sur !  But  your  bhoy's  prayer  is  as  long 
as  Father  Varney's  hinseP,  and  he's  over  young  to  be 
afther  fastin'  the  morn,"  said  Jerry,  with  a  twinkle  in  his 
merry  old  eyes. 

"  Here  he  is  now,"  said  the  cook,  and  baked  his  next 
cakes  a  size  smaller,  with  a  vague  idea  of  the  gastronomic 
needs  of  childhood. 

"  Good  bhoy !  Good  bhoy !  no  bether !  "  said  Jerry  en 
couragingly  as  the  child  advanced  into  the  room  full  of 
men. 

'  I  can't  remember  it,  but  I  didn't  cry,"  said  Rob,  look 
ing  at  his  father. 

4  That's  right,  pard !  Perhaps  you'll  remember  after 
breakfast,"  and  Mr.  Bead  pulled  a  chair  to  his  side  and 
motioned  his  son  into  it.  "Have  some  cakes?"  he 
enquired  as  the  cook  placed  the  small  ones  before  the 
child. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  What  you  like  on  them?  " 

"  I  don't  know.  I  never  had  any  cakies  like  these," 
said  Rob. 


36  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Mr.  Bead  laid  down  knife  and  fork  and  pulled  dubiously 
at  his  big  moustache. 

"  I  think  I  dimly  recall  hearing  they  were  a  pernicious 
diet  for  youth,"  he  said  ruefully. 

44  We  always  have  them  to  home,"  testified  Gid  stoutly. 

44  Sure  there's  not  their  equal  for  the  childer,"  said  old 
Jerry  reassuringly. 

44  Bread  and  milk,"  began  Mr.  Bead. 

44  'Tis  the  hoight  of  nonsinse,  Mr.  Bead !  He's  been 
fed  on  pap  long  enough  by  the  look  of  him,"  insisted 
Jerry. 

4  Them  cakes  won't  hurt  him,"  urged  the  cook. 

44  What  do  you  usually  eat  at  breakfast?  "  enquired  Mr. 
Bead. 

14  Everything.  Oranges  and  oatmeal  (I  don't  like  oat 
meal)  and  buns.  I  want  some  of  those  cakies,"  said  Rob, 
who  was  hungry. 

44  Good  bhoy,  good  bhoy;  no  bether,"  murmured  Jerry 
with  approval. 

44  I  guess  you'll  have  to  worry  along  with  them  this 
morning  anyhow.  Pete,  we'll  have  to  change  our  bill  of 
fare  a  little.  Fix  him  up  something  right  for  dinner, 
can't  you?  " 

44  Guess  I  can  manage  to  rustle  for  him.  You  ought  to 
a  said  he  was  coming,"  said  Pete. 

44  'Tis  no  manner  of  sinse  coddling  childer,"  said  old 
Jerry  absently.  Mr.  Bead  looked  up  at  him  sharply.  The 
old  man  was  gazing  at  the  boy  with  a  puzzled  intentness. 
Suddenly  a  flash  of  recognition  swept  his  face,  and  he  raised 
his  eyes  and  encountered  Mr.  Bead's  level  gaze. 

"  Coming,"  thought  the  young  man,  but  old  Jerry  only 
rose  in  haste  and  left  the  room. 

Mr.  Bead's  glance  followed  the  retreating  figure  quiz 
zically,  and  then,  with  sombre  mocking  in  his  eyes,  he 
looked  down  into  the  valley  where  Hurstville  lay, 


CHAPTER  TWO  37 

snow-bound  between  the  mountains,  and  still  in  the  shadow 
cast  by  them.  Wavering  columns  of  smoke  rose  up  into 
the  gilding  rays  that  had  just  touched  the  top  of  the 
highest  steeple,  and  the  town  awoke  in  silence  like  a 
pantomime.  He  saw  the  stage  start  on  its  way  to  the 
depot  to  meet  an  early  train,  the  jangling  sleigh-bells  mute, 
and  a  little  dog  barked  at  it  till  he  rose  in  bounds  from 
the  ground,  without  sound.  Through  the  thin,  pure  moun 
tain  air  the  puppet  figures,  coming  from  the  houses, 
seemed  within  hail,  but  the  road  meandered  upward  for 
a  mile  from  the  village  before  it  reached  the  Bead  place, 
which  lay  all  along  the  steepest  hillsides,  far  up  on  the 
slope  of  the  mountain. 


Ill 

THE  rocky  acres  of  Abijah's  farm  had  been  the 
heart-breaking  possession  of  the  Bead  family  for 
generations,  but  at  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs. 
Bead  exchanged  them  for  a  cosey  cottage  in  the  village,  and 
her  judgment  was  commended.  No  one  blamed  her  when 
Abijah,  afterward  reverting  to  the  savagery  of  the  abo 
riginal  Beads,  bought  back  the  farm.  He  had  the  faults  of 
his  family,  his  mother's  ability  in  their  execution,  and  from 
his  childhood  had  thwarted  her  efforts  in  his  behalf,  by 
virtue  of  her  own  qualities.  If  his  sister  had  been  like 
him,  Mrs.  Bead's  efforts  to  maintain  the  tenets  of  gentility 
on  her  limited  income,  would  have  been  frustrated;  but 
fortunately,  Emily  was  a  very  nice  girl.  People  who  en 
tertained  quite  an  opposite  idea  in  connection  with  Abijah 
said  so,  and  she  never  in  her  life  gave  any  one  occasion  to 
say  or  think  otherwise.  Pretty,  pliant  little  Emily  was 
born  with  an  instinctive  reverence  for  appearances,  and  for 
their  preservation  she  dutifully  submitted  to  the  exercise 
of  the  remorseless  economy  necessary  in  their  case.  Great 
efforts  in  great  causes  are  heroic,  but  these  ladies  had  no 
leaning  to  heroics.  Their  obvious  duty  was  to  make  the 
most  of  Hurstville's  opportunities,  and  this  they  did  reli 
giously.  Now,  Hurstville  was  a  community  to  appreciate 
efforts  of  this  sort.  There  was  a  mutual  awareness  of 
little  makeshifts  among  them,  tacitly  ignored  by  decent 
people,  and  the  Mesdames  Bead  were  received  into  the 
inner  circle,  and  once  admitted,  helped  valiantly  to  raise 

38 


CHAPTER  THREE  39 

the  standard.  It  was  by  no  wish  of  his  that  Abijah 
was  excluded,  for  though  he  mocked  at  the  banalities  of 
genteel  poverty,  and  harassed  his  family  by  an  ineradi 
cable  tendency  to  exploit  the  unvarnished  verities,  he  se 
cretly  admired  the  success  of  their  finesse,  and  would 
have  put  his  best  foot  forward  with  them  had  he  not 
been  handicapped  for  life  by  an  unprofitable  sense  of  the 
ludicrous.  This  sent  him  howling  into  outer  darkness, 
where  society  is  not.  It  took  years  for  him  to  appreciate 
that  humour  is  a  rare  and  deplorable  mode  of  perception, 
by  which  time  it  was  too  late  for  him  to  join  the  antics 
of  the  majority.  Fate,  too,  conspired  to  make  an  Ishmael- 
ite  of  the  boy  from  childhood,  and  he  never  quite  adjusted 
himself  to  the  existent  scheme  of  things. 

Mrs.  Bead's  indefatigable  industry  kept  her  daughter 
daintily  attired,  but  her  son's  necessities  were  beyond  the 
resource  of  her  nimble  needle.  He  was  outfitted,  as  best 
might  be,  by  the  half-worn  garments  of  a  city  cousin,  and 
these  he  hated,  because  their  fashion  differed  from  that  of 
other  boys,  occasioning  invidious  comparison.  By  one 
who  enters  into  the  real  feelings  of  a  boy  doomed  to  wear 
strange  habiliments,  Abijah  could  not  be  blamed  for  out 
growing  his  cousin's  clothing,  but  under  the  circumstances 
it  seemed  innate  depravity  for  him  to  set  about  it  quite  so 
rapidly.  It  was  a  hazardous  experiment  too,  and  of  this 
he  became  aware  when  he  touched  the  circumference  of  his 
clothing  and  still  expanded.  Anything  was  liable  to  hap 
pen  then,  and  his  sufferings  became  acute.  His  garments 
disintegrated  often  with  appalling  suddenness,  and  a  haunt 
ing  distrust  of  his  trousers  made  him,  for  the  only  period 
of  his  life,  walk  circumspectly  before  all  men,  and  espe 
cially  women.  One  day  an  irrepressible  sneeze  burst  out 
his  coat  in  school,  and  he  hastened  home  as  fast  as  his 
plump  restricted  legs  dare  take  him,  and  before  his 
harassed  mother  declared  his  intent  of  going  into  the  busi- 


40  THE  PANG-YANGER 

ness  of  piracy  on  the  high  seas,  unless  relief  was  afforded 
then  and  there. 

Mrs.  Bead  was  in  despair.  If  Abijah  had  been  content 
to  remain  within  the  compass  of  his  cousin's  clothing  (and 
excellent  clothes  they  were,  she  always  affirmed) — he  might 
have  continued  his  education  therein  for  several  years.  As 
he  did  not  choose  to  do  this,  her  income  was  stretched  to 
the  limit :  there  was  but  one  thing  for  it — he  must  go  to 
work.  Abijah  whooped  with  delight  at  the  prospect.  He 
held  the  opinion  that  work  was  far  more  interesting 
than  school,  and  though  naturally  preferring  something  in 
the  line  of  piracy,  he  had  no  natural  prejudices  against  any 
active  occupation.  All  he  stipulated  was  for  one  new 
suit,  of  comfortable  dimensions,  and  when  he  got  it,  he 
immediately  turned  handsprings  all  around  the  yard,  to 
strain  and  stretch  it  thoroughly.  It  stood  the  test,  and 
perfectly  content,  he  went  in  and  sat  in  the  family  council 
on  himself. 

Aside  from  a  direct  interposition  of  Providence, 
yclept  by  the  irreverent  Abijah  luck,  there  really  seemed, 
after  an  exhaustive  and  unprejudiced  family  discussion  of 
the  matter,  no  factor  of  hiscomposition making forsuccess. 
"  But  if  he  could  only  get  a  good  chance,"  repeated  Mrs. 
Bead  vaguely,  and  Abijah  squirmed  restlessly  in  his  loose 
clothes.  He  had  cause  to  feel  himself  incapable  of  bene 
fiting  by  the  best  of  chances,  and  said  so;  an  attitude  repre 
hended  firmly  by  a  mother  who,  Mrs.  Bead  was  careful 
to  point  this  out  to  her  children,  had  made  the  most  of 
every  chance  life  offered.  Her  son  was  a  chance,  and  she 
meant  to  make  the  most  of  him,  both  for  his  sake  and  her 
own.  She  dilated  on  the  necessity  of  making  the  absolute 
best  of  whatever  faculties  we  possess,  and  Abijah  listened, 
impassive,  and  offered  practical  suggestions.  He  said  the 
position  of  locomotive  engineer  would  satisfy  his  ambition, 
and  he  thought  he  could  get  a  job  at  "  firin'."  He  had 


CHAPTER  THREE  41 

talked  with  men  at  the  station,  and  that  was  the  way  you 
had  to  begin,  and  the  pay  was  good.  Mrs.  Bead  ex 
changed  despairing  glances  with  her  daughter  Emily,  and 
objected  to  the  occupation,  on  the  ground  of  dangers. 

"  Well  then,  say,  mother,  what's  the  matter  of  Lute 
Bead?  He  has  a  lot  of  men  at  his  tannery,  hasn't  he? 
Wouldn't  he  give  me  a  chance?  "  the  boy  asked  eagerly. 

"  I'm  sure  I  don't  know.  I  could  write  and  ask  him; 
maybe  it  would  be  better  for  you  to  be  with  some  member 
of  the  family.  He  has  no  children  and  he  can,  undoubt 
edly,  give  you  a  good  chance  if  he  wants  to.  Buckskill 
isn't  far  away,  either;  but  do  you  suppose  you  would  like 
the  business,  my  son?  "  asked  Mrs.  Bead,  with  some  com 
punction  at  the  prospect. 

Abijah  grinned. 

"  Beggars  can't  be  choosers,"  he  said  vulgarly. 

"  Luther  Bead  has  made  money  in  the  business,"  Mrs. 
Bead  reflected. 

"  But  a  tanner!  "  protested  the  girl.  "Think  of  his 
hands!" 

"  Well,  we  needn't  speak  as  we  pass  by,  you  know," 
suggested  her  brother  soothingly. 

"  I  don't  see  why  you  couldn't  have  been  content  to 
wear  Cousin  Charlie's  clothes  and  fit  yourself  for  some 
decent  position  in  life  !  "  Emily  was  almost  tearful. 

'  Be    content!     Anybody'd    think  I  grew  a  purpose" 
said  Abijah  in  disgust. 

"  Of  course  no  one  blames  you,  my  son ;  I  wish  I  could 
see  my  way  to  keeping  you  in  school !  "  sighed  Mrs.  Bead. 
'  What's  the  use  to  keep  on  talking,  when  you  can't?  " 
muttered  Abijah,  and  he  slouched  out  of  the  room,  leaving 
his  fate  to  the  disposal  of  the  family.  For  the  poor,  har 
assed,  masculine  life  of  him,  he  could  not  understand  why 
women  harped  so  on  impossible  things;  and  he  went 
across  rfie  street  and  got  Jerry  Dowd  to  go  gunning  with 


42  THE  PANG-YANGER 

him.  Ultimately  he  went  away  cheerfully,  to  work  some 
how — he  neither  knew  nor  cared  greatly  how — at  Luther 
Bead's  tannery  in  the  hemlock  mountains  back  of  Bucks- 
kill. 

"  Good-bye,  'Bijah.  Use  something  to  take  the  stain  off 
your  hands  before  you  come  home,  and  don  t  get  into  the 
ways  of  the  rough  class  you  must  meet,"  admonished 
Emily,  putting  her  arms  around  his  neck  as  he  was  de 
parting. 

"  God  bless  you,  my  son !  write  often  and  come  home 
soon!  "  said  Mrs.  Bead,  kissing  him,  and  the  boy  walked 
away  with  a  queer  lump  in  his  throat  at  the  first  realisa 
tion  of  leaving  home. 

Bead's  tannery  stood  in  a  desolate,  half-cleared  space, 
well  up  the  side  of  a  mountain,  surrounded  by  a  few 
miserable  weather-stained  board  shanties,  fungus-like 
growths  upon  the  rocks  around.  Locally  known  as  Pang- 
Yang,  the  place  was  a  sort  of  "  no  man's  land,"  on  the  dis 
puted  boundary  of  two  townships,  the  inhabitants  descend 
ing  to  vote  in  either,  and  frequenting  the  jails  of  both,  be 
cause  their  ideas  of  dissipation  were  utterly  uncivilised. 
It  was  not  a  worse  element  than  exists  in  every  community, 
but  it  was  undilute  and  consequently  pungent.  In  the 
matter  of  labour,  Luther  Bead  held  his  employees  to  a 
strict  account  for  six  days  in  the  week,  so  that  regular 
drunkenness  was  only  a  sabbatical  observation,  or  a  holi 
day  celebration  with  them ;  but  on  every  pay-day,  gambling 
extended  to  bankruptcy,  which  is  as  far  as  it  can  be  carried 
anywhere,  and  the  few  women  who  came  to  Pang-Yang 
were  frankly  professional.  The  elemental  vices,  naked 
and  unashamed,  disported  themselves  hideously,  and 
Luther  Bead's  burly  figure  barred  the  way  of  experimental 
sociology.  So  far  from  condoning  the  morale  of  the  place, 
he  claimed  special  civic  virtue  in  segregating  vice  from  a 
virtuous  community;  and  once,  the  corporate  conscience  of 


CHAPTER  THREE  43 

Bucksville  clamouring  for  the  strict  prohibition  of  carnal 
gratification,  he  summarily  discharged  every  man  at  the 
tannery  and  published — as  an  election  notice — a  call  for  a 
complement  of  virtuous  labourers.  Applicants  were  shy; 
Buckskill  eyed  askance  the  advent  of  the  Pang-Yangers,  so 
that  Luther  Bead  laughed,  being  a  man  of  a  robustious 
humour,  bailed  his  Pang-Yangers  out  of  jail  (as  usual 
after  an  election),  and  sent  them  all  whooping  back  up 
the  mountains  to  work  again.  He  explained  the  economic 
principle,  that  it  was  better  they  should  earn  their  board 
six  days  in  the  week,  than  be  supported  in  jail  all  the 
time,  and  Buckskill  ceased  to  argue  with  him  on  the  matter, 
sincerely  hoping  that  his  prognostication  that  "  they'd  run 
out  ef  yeou  let  'em  alone  "  would  be  fulfilled  speedily. 

Unfortunately  the  natural  is  a  slow  process,  and  though 
child  life  did  not  flourish  at  Pang-Yang,  the  status  of  the 
place  remained  practically  unchanged  for  years.  When 
Mrs.  Bead  wrote  asking  for  a  position  for  her  son  there, 
Luther  Bead  knew  her  ignorant  of  the  reputation  of  the 
tannery  gang,  and  it  pleased  his  peculiar  sense  of  humour 
to  accede  promptly  to  the  good  lady's  request,  never  dream 
ing  that  Abijah  would  remain  a  week. 

But  he  did.  For  all  the  boy  knew  to  expect  of  life 
any  condition  might  be  normal,  and  if  all  the  snakes  in 
the  forest  about  the  tannery  had  stood  up  on  their  tails 
and  accosted  him,  he  would  have  followed  the  ancestral 
example,  and  replied,  without  a  blink,  lest  surprise  be 
tray  him  to  derision.  If  Luther  Bead  saw  nothing  re 
markable  in  conditions  at  Pang-Yang,  his  young  kinsman 
was  certainly  not  the  lad  to  remark  them;  and  his  assumed 
attitude  of  easy  familiarity  with  phenomena  to  surprise  a 
veteran,  afforded  his  employer  every  bit  as  much  amuse 
ment  as  the  shocked  sensibilities  he  had  expected  of  the 
widow's  son.  Like  all  well-instructed  youth,  being  duly 
warned  of  the  enticements  of  evil,  Abijah  was  expectant 


44  THE  PANG-YANGER 

of  attraction,  and  not  wholly  averse  to  a  little  bout  with 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil;  but  the  carnal  trio  at 
Pang-Yang  was  without  embellishment  or  accessory, 
primal,  besotting,  bestial,  and  the  boy  had  to  contend  with 
actual  nausea  as  he  schooled  himself  to  look  with  level  lids 
on  the  repulsive  foulness  of  his  surroundings. 

At  first  he  kept  aloof,  reading  at  night  in  the  tan 
nery  where  he  slept,  and  gunning  alone  in  the  forests,  for 
Buckskill,  though  lying  plainly  visible  in  the  valley,  was 
too  far  for  frequent  visits;  and  shut  in  by  miles  of 
heavy  hemlock  forests,  the  boy  was  thrown  entirely  upon 
his  own  slender  resources.  A  savage  resentment  against 
circumstance  intensified  his  isolation,  and  it  was  inevitable 
that,  when  custom  dulled  the  edge  of  his  disgust,  he  should 
participate  in  whatever  life  was  around  him.  He  felt  no 
slightest  attraction  towards  it,  but  the  foul  monotony  ex 
asperated  him  to  give  it  a  fillip  of  some  kind,  and  his  special 
daemon  of  restlessness  inciting  him,  he  plunged  into  the 
slough. 

Then — shamed  and  frightened  by  his  own  temerity— 
the  big  child  shed  a  few  fierce  tears  of  unavailing  regret. 
He  was  far  too  honest  and  too  bold  to  saddle  indulgence 
upon  docile  opportunity;  but  he  did  not  feel  entirely  re 
sponsible  for  the  results  he  deplored,  in  bitter  loathing 
of  all  things  created,  as  he  lay  long,  moody  hours  on  the 
mountain,  under  the  down-swaying  hemlock  boughs,  or 
tramped  aimlessly  through  the  woods,  his  gun  a  decent 
pretext  for  his  absence  from  the  settlement. 

One  clear  autumn  day,  when  billowy  white  clouds  drifted 
far  above  the  earth  in  a  keen,  sun-warmed  breeze,  which 
mixed  an  elixir  as  it  stirred  among  the  fragrant  evergreens, 
he  climbed  a  gigantic  chestnut  tree,  far  up  on  the  crest 
of  the  mountain,  and  from  the  upper  branches  unexpectedly 
glimpsed  the  spires  of  Hurstville.  Very  drearily  he  sat 
there,  far  above  miles  of  undulant  forests,  looking  home- 


CHAPTER  THREE  45 

ward,  faint  bitter  lines  about  his  mouth  scoring  life's  first 
encounter;  a  cruel  one  for  a  boy.  He  had  no  desire  to  go 
home,  honestly  deeming  himself  too  vile  to  seek  its  sanc 
tuary,  but  he  yearned  toward  it  with  a  young  poignancy 
of  feeling  which  is  fortunately  lost  in  the  recurrent  shocks 
of  life.  His  regrets,  however,  were  too  fatalistic  to  be 
deterrent,  and  although  he  afterwards  resorted  frequently 
to  the  lofty  eyrie  of  the  chestnut,  it  was  apt  to  be 
after  a  scene  of  dissipation  which  drove  him  from  the 
settlement  in  disgust.  His  reluctance  to  go  home  kept 
him  away  until  a  peremptory  letter  from  Mrs.  Bead  sum 
moned  him  to  report  himself,  that  she  might  be  satisfied 
of  his  well-being.  He  had  been  away  six  weeks.  Six 
weeks?  Abijah  knew  it  was  six  years  as  he  went  back, 
strangely  shy  and  sullen,  keeping  his  stained  hands  in  his 
pockets  in  mocking  deference  to  his  sister's  sensibilities, 
and  pointedly  avoiding  women  of  all  ages  and  conditions. 
The  popularity  of  his  family  kept  him  dodging  continually, 
and  in  retreat  he  often  abruptly  encountered  an  old  play 
mate  who  lived  next  door.  Sarah  Silliman  quickly  dis 
covered  that  the  advent  of  visitors  at  Mrs.  Bead's  front 
door  meant  her  son's  flight  from  the  rear  one,  and  timed 
her  own  exits  in  accordance.  She  thought  the  big  lad  a 
most  personable  youth,  and  was  chagrined  that  she  could 
not  detain  him  as  she  had  done  when  they  were  children. 
But  Abijah  stayed  for  none.  Jerry  Dowd  was  his  especial 
resource  during  this  trying  period,  for  Jerry  was  a  mighty 
hunter  of  small  deer,  and  the  twain  went  gunning  many  a 
day  during  this  and  subsequent  visits. 

"  By  this  and  thot,  'Bijah,  'tis  a  tough  lot  entirely,  Oi'm 
thinkin',"  said  Jerry,  summing  up  the  impression  derived 
from  Abijah's  reserved  communications,  on  one  of  their 
hunting  trips. 

"  Oh,  there's  worse  people  unhung  than  the  Pang- 
Yangers.  Lute  Bead  says  they  differ  from  the  high 


46  THE  PANG-YANGER 

monky-monks  only  in  veneer,"  said  the  boy  smartly.  He 
had  no  inclination  to  make  a  confidant  of  any  one,  but  the 
Irishman  had  not  been  brought  up  in  the  sheltered  system, 
and  knew  Pang-Yang's  reputation. 

"  Lute  Bead  should  take  shame  to  hinsil',  talking  non- 
sinse  to  a  bhoy.  Sure  there  do  be  good  and  bad  ivery- 
where  in  the  world,  of  course,  but  'tis  all  bad  at 
Pang-Yang,  Oi'm  thinkin'.  Does  your  mother  know, 
'Bijah?" 

"  Know  what?  "  demanded  Abijah  sullenly. 

"  Know  the  divil's  hole  yer  in  up  there?  "  said  Jerry 
sturdily. 

'  Who  said  'twas?  Your  imagination  will  run  away 
with  you  some  day.  I  guess  a  tannery  gang  is  about  the 
same  anywhere,  and  I've  told  you  that  there  are  worse 
folks  in  the  world  than  the  Pang-Yangers." 

"  In  jail  'tis  loike.  Whist  ye,  'Bijah,  'tis  no  place  for 
a  bhoy  loike  ye.  Your  mother  should  know." 

"  See  here,  Jerry,  you  just  mind  your  own  business, 
will  you?"  enquired  Abijah,  threatening  in  sullen  boyish 
pride. 

"  Oi'm  thinkin'  I  will  not,"  said  the  little  Irishman 
calmly. 

Abijah  looked  down  at  him  angrily  from  beneath  his 
black  brows. 

"  As  I  intend  to  stay  anyhow  until  I  get  ready  to  go,  I 
don't  see  the  sense  in  your  making  mother  uncomfort 
able,  all  for  nothing;  I  am  quite  capable  of  taking  care  of 
myself  at  Pang-Yang,  or  anywhere  else,  I  think,"  said  the 
boy  proudly. 

He  saw  no  reason  to  disturb  his  mother  by  a  knowl 
edge  of  the  misadventure  of  his  Pang-Yang  experience. 
He  did  not  include  her  in  the  bitter  scope  of  his  resent 
ment,  gauging  her  innocence  rightly  by  what  his  own  had 
been.  After  his  brief  inglorious  tussle  with  the  world, 


CHAPTER  THREE  47 

her  purity  and  goodness  seemed  ideal  and  inspired  him 
with  a  chivalrous  desire  to  shield  her. 

"  I  had  no  idea  the  people  would  all  be  of  that  rough 
class,  'Bijah.  Aren't  there  any  nice  folks  you  can  associate 
with  up  there?  "  Mrs.  Bead  enquired,  moved  to  a  sense  of 
maternal  responsibility  by  her  son's  reticence.  She  had  sat 
down  by  his  bed  one  night  inviting  confidence. 

Abijah  looked  up  at  her  with  disarming  ingenuousness. 
"  Say,  mother,  I  hadn't  an  idea  you  would  want  me  to  as 
sociate  with  any  one  in  a  tannery,"  he  said. 

"  Why,  of  course  not  intimately,  but  what  do  you  do 
nights?  " 

"  I  put  in  a  pretty  good  share  of  the  time  sleeping,  I 
guess.  Of  course  it's  rather  lonesome;  that's  what  I  sent 
for  the  books  for,  you  know.  And  say,  mother,  there's  a 
big  chestnut  up  on  the  top  of  the  mountain,  and  I  can  see 
Hurstville  from  the  top  of  it.  There's  a  jolly  seat  on  a 
crooked  limb,  and  I  shin  up  and  take  a  bird's-eye  view  of 
you  every  once  in  a  while,"  said  the  boy  shyly. 

"  I  had  no  idea  that  the  view  from  Buckskill  mountain 
was  so  extended,"  murmured  Mrs.  Bead  politely,  and 
Abijah,  vaguely  conscious  of  misplaced  sentiment,  tum 
bled  from  his  lofty  eyrie  to  the  ground. 

"  Don't  you  go  down  to  Buckskill?  Doesn't  Luther  in 
vite  you  to  his  house?  "  she  enquired  anxiously. 

"  Buckskill's  six  miles  down,  and  up  the  mountain,  and 
the  going  isn't  anything  extra.  I've  been  down  twice. 
Cousin  Nan's  nice  enough,  but  I  see  'bout  all  I  want  of 
Lute  every  day  without  visiting  him  between  times." 

"  Don't  you  like  him?" 

The  boy  stirred  impatiently. 

"  Oh,  mother,  you  don't  understand.  It  don't  make 
any  difference  whether  I  like  him  or  not,  and  where  else 
can  I  make  as  much  as  Lute  gives?  " 

'  That  is  very  true,  my  son,"  thoughtfully,  "  but " 


48  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Well,  that's  the  whole  size  of  it.  Lute's  all  right.  I 
ain't  kickin'!  " 

"  But,  'Bijah,  the  wages  do  not  outweigh  everything.  I 
wouldn't  have  you  get  dissipated  for  all  the  money  in  the 
world."  Mrs.  Bead,  as  president  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U., 
considered  drunkenness,  and  not  the  love  of  money,  to  be 
the  root  of  all  evil. 

"  Don't  give  yourself  a  moment's  uneasiness  on  that 
score.  It  isn't  a  family  failing,  and  anyhow,  I  don't  like 
the  stuff." 

"  Oh,  'Bijah,  then  you  have  tasted  it?  Unless  you 
promise  never  to  touch  it  again,  I  shall  not  permit  you  to 
go  back  to  the  tannery,"  said  Mrs.  Bead,  with  gentle  in 
flexibility. 

"  But,  mother,  haven't  I  told  you  I  don't  care  for  it? 
Honest  injun,  I  don't!  " 

'  Then  why  not  promise  not  to  touch  it?  "  reasonably 
enquired  the  mother,  the  tears  in  her  dark  eyes. 

'  Well,  if  you  want  me  to,  I  will,"  Abijah  said  unex 
pectedly,  and  laughed.  "  Temperance  is,  like  honesty,  the 
best  policy." 

'  Why,  of  course  it  is !  but  I  do  not  see  anything  amus 
ing  in  the  idea.  You  are  taking  a  solemn  pledge." 

Abijah  rolled  over  on  his  pillow  to  stifle  a  wild  yell,  and 
Mrs.  Bead  waited  patiently  until  he  lifted  his  flushed  face 
and  looked  at  her  helplessly. 

'  You  are  just  like  your  father.  He  frequently  found 
amusement  when  it  was  not  apparent  to  any  one  else,"  she 
said. 

"  It's  a  very  great  disadvantage,"  sighed  Abijah,  wiping 
his  eyes  on  the  lavender-scented  sheets. 

"  Where  is  your  handkerchief,  'Bijah?  "  severely. 

11  In  my  pocket.     I  didn't  expect  to  need  it." 

Mrs.  Bead  rose  with  dignity  and  went  through  the 
pockets  of  his  clothes.  The  handkerchief  had  served  as 


CHAPTER  THREE  49 

guncloth  that  afternoon,  and  she  tossed  it  aside  m  disgust 
and  brought  him  a  fresh  one  from  his  bureau  drawer. 

"  You  are  getting  into  most  untidy  habits,  'Bijah!  I 
shall  seriously  consider  the  advisability  of  your  remain 
ing  at  the  tannery,"  she  said,  as  she  kissed  him  good 
night. 

But  he  remained  there  two  years  without  any  very  strenu 
ous  opposition  on  her  part.  She  told  him  she  had 
prayed  over  the  matter,  and  having  his  promise  of  ab 
stinence,  felt  she  might  trust  him  anywhere.  And  Abijah 
knew  that  fate  was  playing  him  tricks,  but  felt  it  behooved 
him,  as  the  man  of  the  family,  to  grin  and  bear  it. 

It  was  in  the  autumn  of  his  third  year  at  Pang- 
Yang,  when  he  had  grown  stoic  to  accept  the  place  as  his, 
that  a  terrific  wind-storm  swept  the  country  from  the  moun 
tains  of  the  northwest  to  the  sea.  It  came  in  great  aerial 
waves,  foam-crested  by  the  tossing  cumuli,  and  the  sub 
merged  forests  strained  and  bowed  and  broke  beneath  the 
mighty  torrent  which  carried  fogs  and  mists  and  noisome 
vapours  into  far-off  space.  Throughout  the  wholesome, 
wind-scoured  earth,  magnetic  currents  tingled,  and  strange 
responsive  thrills  stirred  all  of  life  upon  it.  It  blew  for 
days.  The  voices  of  the  forest  rose,  tumultuous  in  silent 
places,  and  living  creatures  thrilled  with  nervous  excita 
tion.  Abijah  could  not  stay  indoors.  He  was  restless 
until  he  got  into  the  open,  and  ran  into  the  gale,  hallooing 
an  answer  to  its  challenge  and  prancing  like  a  satyr 
through  the  forest  ways.  Breast  to  breast  he  leaned 
against  the  rushing  current,  and  fought  with  it,  rejoicing 
in  his  strength  as  he  went  up  the  mountain;  but  at  the 
summit,  lying  under  his  chestnut  tree,  a  strange  content  and 
exultation  filled  him  as  the  wind  swept  over  him;  he 
opened  his  arms  to  it  like  a  triumphant  lover,  and  smiled  as 
he  felt  its  kiss  upon  his  eyelids. 

When  he  arose  the  wind  came  with  him  down  the  moun- 


50  THE  PANG-YANGER 

tain  and  had  its  will  of  him  in  happy,  headlong  flight. 
Close  at  heel  it  kept,  at  breakneck  speed,  over  ragged 
ledge  and  fallen  tree-trunks,  down  steep  declivities,  where 
he  plunged  over  traitorous  moss-grown  rocks,  and  leaped 
and  caught  short  holds  of  bush  and  shrub  to  break  the 
breathless  speed;  landing  with  him  pell-mell  in  the  clearing 
with  a  shout  and  a  rush  that  carried  him  halfway  across 
it  to  the  tannery. 

"  See'd  a  bar,  'Bijah?  "  called  old  Meg  from  her  shan 
ty's  doorway  as  he  rushed  by,  but  he  only  waved  his  arm  to 
her,  and  without  slackening  his  pace,  called  back,  as  the 
idea  came  to  him :  "  Tell  all  the  boys  to  come  over  to-night. 
We'll  whoop  her  up  in  great  shape,"  the  invitation 
as  unpremeditated  as  his  wild  rush  down  the  mountain. 
Then  in  as  purely  frolic  mood  as  ever  creature  frisked, 
from  sheer  exuberance  of  young  life,  he  set  about  the 
rough  arrangements  for  a  night's  debauch  in  the  old  wind- 
shaken  tannery.  His  brain  was  curiously  alert  and  full  of 
wind-blown  fancies,  and  he  moved  without  volition,  with 
out  ulterior  purpose,  as  one  in  pleasant  dreams.  He 
knew  he  should  play,  play  all  he  knew  to  win  that 
night,  and  as  a  great  gust  hurled  itself  upon  the  tan 
nery,  he  suddenly  laughed  aloud,  remembering  it  was  pay 
day. 

At  daybreak,  he  stood  up  in  the  reek  of  alcohol  and 
nicotine,  and  the  Pang-Yangers'  money  was  in  his  pocket. 
His  companions  had  slunk  away  to  sleep  off  their  dissipa 
tion,  all  save  old  Meg,  who,  prone  on  the  floor  in  the  cor 
ner,  snored  in  stifled  suspirations.  Automatically  he  tried 
to  rouse  her,  and  failing,  went  somnolently  out  into  the 
morning  air. 

Grey  dawn  still  lingered  in  the  valley,  but  the  mountain 
tops  were  rosy;  a  great  star  pulsed  low  down  in  the  red 
dening  east,  and  the  wind  now  bore  the  ineffable  breath  of 
the  morning  on  its  strong  wings.  The  boy's  tense  nerves 


CHAPTER  THREE  5! 

were  vibrant  to  its  touch,  and  he  yearned  to  its  mysterious, 
insistent  will.  Suddenly  he  stretched  his  arms  above  his 
head  like  one  awakening. 

"  I've  been  here  long  enough,  now,"  he  said  decidedly, 
and  without  intention  or  reflection,  he  let  the  wind  have  its 
way  with  him  again,  and  it  urged  him  down  the  mountain. 
In  the  valley  it  left  him,  a  little  dazed,  but  quite  content, 
and  with  a  dawning  purpose,  he  trod  on  sturdily  toward 
the  Buckskill  railroad  station.  It  was  closed  and  solitary, 
but,  as  his  excitement  cooled,  his  purpose  crystallised,  and 
he  sat  on  the  bench  outside  to  wait,  realising  with  amuse 
ment,  but  without  concern,  his  inadequate  equipment  for 
a  journey.  Gazing  back  up  the  mountain  he  saw  the 
tiny  panes  of  Pang-Yang's  windows  catch  the  crimson  of 
the  rising  sun.  He  had  not  thought  the  place  so  clearly 
visible  from  town,  and — did  reflected  light  flame  out,  and 
spread  like  that? 

A  moment's  startled  gaze,  and  then  he  sprang  into  the 
road  and  with  elbows  close,  mouth  shut  and  head  well  up, 
went  racing  through  the  village  streets  toward  Luther 
Bead's.  That  gentleman  had  just  climbed  into  his  car 
riage  at  the  gate,  and  Abijah  sprang  in  after  him,  explain 
ing  the  situation  breathlessly,  as  they  raced  into  view  of 
the  burning  hamlet.  Luther  Bead  drew  rein  and  stopped 
his  horses  in  the  middle  of  the  road,  as  he  saw  the  extent 
of  the  conflagration. 

"  Go  on  !  go  on !  Don't  stop,  Lute !  I  tell  you  Meg's 
asleep  in  the  tannery,  and  they're  all  too  dead-drunk  to 
move !  "  cried  the  boy,  his  brown  cheeks  pale  with  the 
horror. 

'  We  can't  do  any  good  by  the  time  we  get  there,"  said 
Luther  Bead,  his  eyes  on  the  spreading  flames. 

"  Ain't  you  going  up  ?  " 

"  No,  there  ain't  a  damn  bit  of  use." 

"  Well,  I  am!  "  exclaimed  Abijah,  but  as  he  would  have 


52  THE  PANG-YANGER 

leaped  from  the  carriage,  Luther  caught  his  arm  roughly 
and  jerked  him  back  into  his  seat. 

"  Yuh  young  fool,  yuh!  "  he  said  kindly. 

Abijah  faced  him  with  indignant  eyes.  "  I  can' t  sit 
here  doing  nothing  and  know  they  are  being  burned  to 
death,"  he  said  in  a  choked  voice. 

"  Yeou  can't  git  up  there,  near  enough  to  do  any  good. 
See  there !  The  woods  are  ketchin'  all  around.  We're 
lucky  if  we  don't  have  some  fires  in  the  village  from  the 
sparks,  with  the  wind  this  way.  I'll  drive  over  to  the 
engine  house  and  tell  the  boys  to  git  ready  for  business. 
But  say,  'Bijah,  you  better  git  eout  and  go  back  to  the 
house.  Yeou  look  like  bekunjer!  " 

"  I'm  going  with  you,"  said  the  boy  doggedly,  struggling 
for  composure.  "  I'll  get  somebody  to  go  up  with  me. 
We  may  find  some  of  the  folks  ahead  of  the  fire  and  needing 
help.  See  there — where  the  smoke  lifts!  I  don't  believe 
there's  a  vestige  left  of  Pang-Yang,"  and  he  craned  for 
ward  for  glimpses  of  the  blazing  forests  down  the  brief 
perspective  of  the  streets  they  passed. 

"  Jes'  what  I  said!  Everything's  like  tinder  in  the 
woods,  and  this  wind's  fannin'  the  flames.  There  won't 
be  anything  for  the  coroner  to  set  on,  ef  they  were  all  as 
drunk  as  yeou  say.  There  goes  the  fire  bell.  The  boys 
have  caught  on,  so  we'll  go  up  the  mountain,  ez  fur's  we  kin 
go,  ef  yeou  say  so.  But  'tain't  a  bit  of  good,  I  tell  yeou." 

"  Go  on.  If  I'd  stayed  I  might  have  put  it  out  at  the 
start,  or  waked  up  the  boys,  at  least." 

"  How'd  jew  happen  to  come  down  this  morning,  any- 
heow?  Don't  yeou  drink?" 

"  No,  I  can't  afford  to  muddle  what  brain  I've  got. 
I  don't  know  how  I  happened  to  start  off  this  morning. 
Hadn't  thought  of  it  till  I  felt  this  money  in  my  pocket;  not 
specially,  I  mean.  Of  course,  I  hadn't  settled  down  to 
spend  my  life  in  Pang-Yang." 


CHAPTER  THREE  53 

"Huh!  Guess  yeou  made  more  there  'n  I  have  the 
past  two  years.  Dunno  ez  I'll  come  eout  even." 

"  Shan't  I  whack  up?  "  enquired  Abijah  drily. 

"  No,  never  mind.  Whack  up  when  yeou're  held  up. 
Yeou'll  find  that  frequent  enough  in  this  life." 

"  I'm  inexperienced.  Never  was  ahead  of  the  game  be 
fore;  couldn't  help  being  last  night,  the  hands  I  had." 

"Huh!  Well,  money's  money,  however  yeou  git  it, 
an'  yeou've  got  to  get  it  in  some  sort  of  a  hunk  to  be  any 
good." 

"  Is  this  going  to  be  a  bad  loss  for  you?  " 

;'  Not  so  very  considerable,  unless  the  wind  shifts. 
My  timber  is  mostly  to  the  west'ard,  and  the  tannery  ain't 
sich  a  terrible  loss,  for  it  hasn't  much  more  than  paid  ex 
penses  for  some  time,  and  I  couldn't  sell.  By  God,  though, 
Howell's  ketchin'  it.  Way  he's  allus  talked,  though,  he 
oughten  to  kick,  seeing  Pang-Yang's  gone." 

''  Don't  you  suppose  any  of  them  got  out  in  time?  It 
don't  seem  possible  some  of  them  wouldn't  wake  up !  " 

Luther  Bead  coughed  as  the  first  whiff  of  smoke  swept 
into  their  faces. 

'  Yeou  couldn't  wake  Meg  up,  yeou  say.  Had  she 
taken  more  than  the  rest?  " 

''  No,  they  kept  it  up  long  after  she  dropped  out." 
'  Yeou  must  have  been  having  a  night  of  it,  'Bijah." 

''  It  wasn't  exactly  a  class-meeting.  Don't  bluff,  Lute. 
You  know  it  was  hell." 

'  Well,  I  dunno  as  I  thought  Pang-Yang  was  in  danger 
of  any  sich  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  business  ez  this. 
Howell  did,  though.  He's  said  so.  Wonder  if  he'll 
debit  that  timber  to  special  divine  interposition  or  sue 
me?  "  and  Luther  Bead  choked  and  coughed  again,  as  the 
smoke  drove  down  upon  them  heavily.  His  horses 
stopped,  quivering  as  they  scented  the  burning. 

''  We'll  have  to  take  the  team  back  a  ways,  and  climb 


54  THE  PANG-YANGER 

around  north,  on  foot,"  he  said,  and  Abijah  assented.  The 
futility  of  all  attempt  at  rescue  was  apparent  to  him  as 
they  approached  the  burning  tract,  but  they  pushed  on,  and 
by  a  wide  circuit  reached  a  view  of  the  tannery  clearing 
from  the  windward.  Not  a  building  remained;  the  glow 
ing  embers,  fanned  into  intermittent  blazing  by  the  wind, 
baffled  approach,  and  hid  whatever  tragedy  they  held, 
but  in  the  acrid  odour  of  the  burning  forest  mixed  a  some 
thing  noisome.  Abijah  weakened  in  the  legs  and  dropped 
against  a  tree,  while  Luther  Bead  sat  suddenly  down  upon 
a  nearby  rock  and  clutched  at  his  throat. 

"  Let's  git  outer  this.  I  told  yeou  we  couldn't  do  a 
damn  thing,"  said  the  man,  and  they  went  back  miserably 
down  the  mountain,  meeting  men  and  boys  coming  up  with 
curious  faces. 

"  I  wish  you'd  do  me  a  favour,  Lute,"  said  Abijah,  after 
driving  in  silence  into  the  town  beneath  the  wind-borne 
smoke. 

"  All  right." 

'  Take  me  over  to  the  station,  and  then  drive  over  to 
Hurstville  and  tell  mother  I've  gone  west." 

"  So  yeou  stick  to  that  idee?      But  what's  the  rush?  " 

"  I  think  a  change  of  climate  will  do  me  a  world  of 
good." 

Luther  Bead  coughed  suddenly  and  moistened  his  dry 
lips  as  a  stronger  breath  of  smoke  swept  over  the  town. 

"  I  guess  it  would  me  too,"  he  said.  "  My  God,  wasn't 
it  awful !  I  don't  feel  as  though  I  could  ever  eat  again." 

"Oh,  shut  up!  "  exclaimed  Abijah  savagely. 

"  If  yeou're  bent  on  going,  of  course  I'll — but  where 
yeou  going?  '  Out  West  '  ain't  no  address." 

"  I  don't  know  till  I  get  to  the  station.  I'm  going  as 
far  as  my  money  '11  take  me.  I'll  write  mother  on  the 
way,  but  I'm  going  to  start  on  the  first  train  that  comes  in 
here." 


CHAPTER  THREE  55 

"  Well,  by  God,  'Bijah,  I  don't  blame  yeou.  I  believe 
you'll  land  on  your  feet  somewhere,  an'  I'll  tell  your  mother 
so."  And  Luther  Bead,  as  he  turned  down  the  street 
from  the  railroad  station,  stayed  to  wave  his  hat  to  his 
young  kinsman  as  the  train  pulled  out. 

Two  thousand  miles  from  Pang-Yang,  on  the  grim 
Wyoming  plains,  tree-barren,  vast,  monotonous,  Abijah 
stepped  off  the  train  into  the  middlemost  of  "  No-man's- 
land,"  and  concluding  it  was  his  fate  to  be  a  life  denizen 
of  some  portion  of  that  undelectable  country,  grimly  pro 
ceeded  to  qualify  for  the  position. 

The  cattle  war  of  the  Northwest  was  raging  fiercely  at 
this  time,  and  the  very  face  of  the  country  was  being 
changed  from  fertile  plains  of  grass,  pasturing  enormous 
herds  of  cattle,  to  deserts,  bare  of  every  living  thing  ex 
cept  the  spiny  cactus.  Incursions  of  sheep-herds  from  the 
southwest  devasted  the  land,  for  sheep-  will  eat  the  very 
roots  of  vernal  things,  and  as  no  other  creature  can  or  will 
graze  after  them,  the  cattlemen's  reprisals  were  fero 
cious. 

At  first  and  by  necessity,  Abijah  became  a  herder,  which 
is  the  pariah  caste  of  the  Northwest:  the  shepherd  of  pas 
toral  history  is  not  the  prototype  of  this  caste;  it  is  sui 
generis — distinctive  of  new  countries,  and  in  no  degree 
poetical.  Abijah  buckled  on  a  couple  of  business-like  re 
volvers,  thanking  Jerry  Dowd  that  he  was  a  fair  shot, 
and  laying  his  rifle  across  his  saddle,  rode  after  his  herds 
into  a  wilderness  very  far  from  still  waters,  and  solitary 
with  the  solitude  that  drives  men  mad. 

There — alone — as  day  after  day  orbed  to  its  slow  ful 
ness,  and  loitered  into  twilight,  the  silence  of  the  plains 
grew  near  and  palpable,  a  thing  of  weight,  unbearable; 
the  pulse  of  life  beat  only  in  the  monotone  of  chewing 
sheep.  Abijah  dreamed  of  sheep, — never  of  anything  but 
sheep, — sheep  innumerable,  chewing  over  illimitable 


56  THE   PANG-YANGER 

plains,  and  smelled  them,  sleeping  or  awake,  until  he 
hated  them  with  a  malignancy  inexpressible,  and  shot  a 
few  wantonly  as  a  slight  relief  to  his  pent  feelings. 

At  the  end  of  days,  each  as  a  thousand  years,  the  boy 
deliberately  forsook  his  herd  and  galloped  sullenly  back 
to  town ; — a  little  boom  town,  casually  set  down  on  the 
wide  plains,  and  long  since  obliterated.  He  did  not  feel 
the  exhilaration  of  the  wondrous  clear  upland  air,  as  he 
rode  doggedly  back  across  the  ninety  miles  of  intervening 
sagebush.  The  smell  of  sheep  was  in  his  nostrils  and  he 
meant  to  go  home,  even  if  he  had  to  walk  every  step  of 
the  two  thousand  miles ;  but,  finding  the  town  full  of  cow 
boys  and  picturesque  profanity,  anent  some  extraordinarily 
cool  aggression  of  the  despised  sheep-herders,  he  joyously 
allied  himself  with  an  avenging  party,  delighted  with  an 
immediate  opportunity  to  help  exterminate  a  pestiferous 
breed  from  off  thq  face  of  the  earth. 

He  was  well  back  across  the  sagebush  with  a  troop  of 
furious  cattlemen,  before  it  dawned  upon  him  that  his 
herd  had  been  the  depredating  one,  and  he  the  uncon 
sciously  impudent  herder  they  were  pursuing.  For  a  mo 
ment  his  heart  stood  still,  realising  that  the  truest  shot 
made  law,  in  "  No-man's-land,"  and  that  each  accounted 
for  his  act  to  no  one  but  the  better  marksman.  To 
stampede  or  shoot  a  flock  of  sheep,  their  herder  shot  upon 
the  plains  behind,  was  no  unusual  reprisal  of  exasperated 
cattlemen,  and  impending  fate  was  close  upon  the  daring 
herdsman :  but — he  was  an  unknown  man. 

"  Some  damn  Dago  likely,"  it  was  thought,  had  en 
croached  closer  with  his  pestiferous  herd  than  any  yet  had 
dared,  and  despite  his  danger,  Abijah  doubled  over  his 
saddle-bow  in  an  irresistible  paroxysm  of  laughter,  as  they 
came  upon  his  own  forsaken  flocks. 

"What's  the  joke,  kid?"  asked  the  nearest  man,  but 
Abijah  spurred  to  the  front  with  a  wild  yell,  as  the  woolly 


CHAPTER  THREE  57 

marauders,  shepherdless,  scattered  before  the  stamped 
ing  force. 

Followed  untrammelled  years  of  natural  impulse  and 
its  swiftly  following  act,  in  which  he  half  forgot  the  East 
and  home-bred  way  in  a  wild  joy  of  this  "  no  man's  land  " 
in  which  he  found  his  place.  The  big  black  youth  rode 
straight  and  shot  precisely,  and  the  brute  courage  of  un 
shaken  nerves  gave  him  a  fellowship  beyond  his  years, 
notwithstanding  a  curious  and  deplorable  penchant  for 
sobriety.  But  his  status  on  the  plains,  though  flattering 
to  the  simple  savage  instincts  strong  in  this  man,  did 
not  alter  his  mistrust  of  his  abilities  on  lines  more 
complex  and  conventional.  He  found  his  powers  ade 
quate  enough  to  elemental  conditions  of  life,  but  the  finesse 
to  win  fortune  in  a  civilised  community  required  a  special 
order  of  intelligence,  and  this  he  was  unalterably  con 
vinced  he  did  not  possess  and  could  not  cultivate.  At  first, 
the  frugal  East,  not  far  behind,  suggested  the  accretion 
of  small  savings,  but  this  was  a  prospect  so  remote  he 
soon  declined  to  sacrifice  necessities  upon  the  altar  of 
a  tricky  goddess,  especially  as  there  were  pleasant  deities, 
inviting  gifts.  So  half  his  money  went  the  way  of  most 
in  frontier  towns,  and  half  went  duly  East  for  many  years, 
and  Abijah  contrived  a  fairly  decent  scorn  of  Fortune's 
frown,  until,  without  an  effort  on  his  part,  the  sly  jade  came 
to  him  with  sudden  open  palms,  while  brighter,  better  men 
entreated  her  in  vain. 

;'  Fool's  gold  "  at  first  Abijah  thought,  and  scarce  be 
lieved  the  competence  a  careless  venture  brought  him,  but 
with  the  assurance  of  possession  the  canny  Scot  in  him 
awoke,  and  the  homing  impulse  sent  him  back  to  Hurst- 
ville. 

He  walked  in  on  his  mother  as  she  sat  alone  at  tea  in 
the  lamplight,  kissed  that  astonished  lady  lightly,  and 
dropping  into  his  old  place  opposite,  fell  to  upon  the 


58  THE  PANG-YANGER 

widow's  bread  and  butter  with  the  same  appetite  as  in  the 
years  when  he  outgrew  his  cousin's  clothing. 

His  mother  looked  at  him  through  briefly  tearful  glasses, 
but  being  neither  sentimental  nor  hysterical,  she  kept,  as 
usual,  a  firm  hand  on  herself  in  the  matter  of  emotion,  so 
that  there  were  steady  nerves  on  both  sides  of  the  cosey  tea- 
table,  notwithstanding  the  surprise,  and  the  meal  was  a 
livelier  one  than  the  widow's  house  had  known  for  many 
a  year. 

Abijah  spoke  freely,  if  not  frankly,  of  his  life,  and  had 
a  fund  of  anecdotes  to  cover  reticence;  but  after  he  was 
snoring  in  his  room  upstairs,  his  mother  thought  their 
conversation  over,  and  was  dissatisfied.  Somehow  she  had 
neglected  to  enquire  of  most  important  things;  Abijah  had 
become  so  entertaining  a  conversationalist !  She  deter 
mined  to  get  at  facts  at  breakfast,  and  she  hoped  Abijah 
had  been  able  to  save  something  in  all  these  years. 

Hurstville  had  not  changed.  It  had  only  grown  older. 
There  was  a  new  set  of  boys  playing  ball  in  the  same  field 
near  the  schoolhouse,  but  they  looked  so  perfectly  familiar 
Abijah  could  not  resist  sitting  on  the  fence  to  umpire  the 
game.  Children,  he  was  told,  had  grown  up  during  his 
absence,  but  he  insisted  he  did  not  remember  the  children 
and  the  old  people  looked  just  as  they  always  had. 

Emily,  of  course,  had  "  married  well."  That  was  a 
thing  preordained  of  fate  and  her  mother,  and  seeming  to 
please  every  one,  except  Abijah,  who  nourished  a  secret 
pity  that  his  pretty  sister  could  not  have  a  "  free  hand  " 
in  her  marriage.  He  forgot  she  would  have  chosen  riches 
above  all  things;  and  even  after  she  had  made  it  evident  to 
him  that  she  considered  herself  most  fortunate,  he  persisted 
in  avoiding  the  wealthy  octogenarian,  her  husband;  re 
treating,  in  his  old  fashion,  by  the  kitchen  door. 

Quite  in  the  same  old  fashion,  too,  he  encountered 
Sarah  Silliman  there,  running  in  and  out  on  neighbourly 


CHAPTER  THREE  59 

intents,  but  now  he  stayed  to  talk  to  her  and  often  his  re 
treat  ended  in  her  garden.  She  still  thought  the  young 
man  personable  beyond  all  the  village  youth,  and  no  man 
with  eyes  in  his  head  could  have  two  ways  of  thinking 
about  Sarah's  beauty.  It  held  the  cowboy  captive  from 
the  first  encounter,  and  Mrs.  Bead  listened  to  their  blithe 
young  voices  dubiously.  For  some  inscrutable  reason  Abi- 
jah  did  not  disclose  the  fact  of  his  prosperity,  and  this,  in 
the  end,  was  what  made  all  the  trouble.  For  Sarah  had 
unalterably  made  up  her  mind  to  "  marry  well"  also. 


IV 

MURREY'S  drug  store  on  the  village  main 
street,  opposite  the  post-office,  was  the  real  dis 
tributing  centre  of  Hurstville  news;  the  Hurst- 
ville  Post,  casually  edited  by  the  postmaster  and  his  wife 
in  the  intervals  of  a  leisurely  federal  business,  being  mainly 
a  confirmatory  publication  of  items  previously  canvassed 
by  the  public-spirited  habitues  of  Murrey's.  At  times 
the  editor  came  apologetically  across  the  street,  with  a 
harassed  expression  and  the  damp  sheet  of  a  current  issue 
omitting  some  item  of  current  interest;  but  his  derelictions 
were  received  with  a  whimsical  tolerance,  and,  unless 
Abijah  Bead  was  in  a  hectoring  mood  and  made  him  pass 
around  the  box  of  Murrey's  best  cigars,  he  suffered  only 
the  well-worn  ponderous  rural  badinage. 

Whenever  the  power  of  speech  descended  upon  Abijah 
Bead  he  spoke  without  fear  or  favour  of  man  or  woman 
kind,  and  the  rest  of  the  group  at  the  back  of  the  drug 
store  tipped  back  their  chairs  and  listened,  with  more  or 
less  understanding  and  enjoyment  of  his  picturesque  dis 
sertations.  Mr.  Murrey  always  came  from  behind  his 
counter  and  joined  the  listeners  when  Abijah  was  in  par 
ticular  fettle,  and  his  presence  was  felt  to  dignify  an  other 
wise  casual  gathering.  Not  that  his  proper  vocation  of 
chemist  gave  the  unassuming  gentleman  professional  pres 
tige.  It  was  too  well  known  that  he  had  only  "  picked  up 
his  trade,"  in  long  years  of  clerking  for  the  old  druggist, 
and  that  he  satisfied  the  ever  increasing  legal  requirements 
of  the  profession  by  importations  of  fledgling  pharmacists, 

60 


CHAPTER  FOUR  61 

of  degree,  who  abode  with  him  successively.  He  had 
grown  up  in  the  store  from  a  shock-headed  youngster  to  a 
level-headed  business  man,  and  though  Hurstville  backed 
John  Thomas  against  any  of  his  assistants  to  "  put  up  " 
the  crabbedest  prescription  ever  written,  his  technical  handi 
cap  was  clearly  recognised,  and  it  was  for  his  rare  knowl 
edge  of  simples,  a  knowledge  recondite,  almost  occult,  and 
unknown  to  your  mere  chemist,  that  Mr.  Murrey  received 
honour  of  his  townsmen.  Local  faith  in  Murrey's  pro 
prietary  remedies  exasperated  old  Dr.  Pom  fret  to  the  verge 
of  apoplexy,  but  the  steady  sale  of  "  Murrey's  Spring 
Tonic"  and  "Murrey's  Mandrake  Pills"  was  not  affected 
by  the  irascible  old  doctor's  diatribes  on  quackery. 

Personally  they  were  always  the  best  of  friends,  but  as 
Mr.  Murrey  was  not  to  be  bullied  from  the  vending  of  his 
exceedingly  vendible  commodities,  and  as  friendship  was 
never  known  to  stand  in  the  way  of  the  doctor's  brusque 
strictures,  professional  amenity  was  at  strain  between  them. 
Abijah  Bead,  arguing  from  the  well-known  moral  char 
acter  of  John  Thomas,  propounded  a  bland  theory  of  the 
perfect  innocuousnessof  his  specifics,  and  finding  it  received 
no  favour  of  either,  declared  them  in  collusion.  The 
doctor  snorted:  when  it  came  to  professional  ethics  he  did 
not  jest,  an  exemption  Abijah  gleefully  made  note  of  for 
future  use. 

On  the  evening  of  the  day  after  Abijah  had  brought  his 
son  home,  Silas  Mason  sauntered  into  the  drug  store  to 
wait  for  the  stage.  Old  Mr.  Deyo  was  there,  in  conver 
sation  with  the  doctor,  who  was  waiting  for  Mr.  Murrey 
and  the  assistant  to  compound  a  prescription. 

"  I  s'pose  yeou're  tellin'  Doc  th'  noos,"  said  Silas,  join 
ing  them,  and  addressing  Mr.  Deyo. 

"  I  dunno's  I've  heard  any  news  to  tell,"  replied  the 
old  gentleman,  with  a  deprecating  expression  of  reflec 
tion. 


62  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"Huh!  Yeou  mean  Bill  Hen  ain't  told  yeou  abeout 
'Bijah  Bead's  boy?" 

"  I  don't  remember's  he  did.  He  was  only  home  a 
few  hours,  you  know." 

"  Hez  he  gone  already?  " 

"  Yes.  I  had  to  take  him  over  the  mountains  to  ketch 
the  train  at  Dunham.  The  goin's  awful  bad." 

"  He's  in  an  all-fired  rush!  An'  he  didn't  say  anything 
abeout  'Bijah's  kid?" 

"  See  here,  Si,  how  many  times  d'you  want  a  man  to 
answer  a  question?  If  you've  got  any  news,  relieve 
yourself,  or  you'll  need  a  blue  pill.  You  look  a  little 
jaundiced  already,"  said  the  doctor,  who  never  allowed 
any  one  else  to  do  the  badgering  if  he  was  around. 

"  Then  I'll  get  a  box  of  Murrey's  Mandrake  before  I 
go  eout  this  afternoon,"  retorted  Silas  smartly. 

"  All  right,"  replied  the  doctor,  and  Silas  spat  copiously 
into  the  sand  box  of  the  store. 

"  Jew  really  mean  yeou  ain't  heard  the  noos  yet,  Doc? 
Why,  they  come  in  on  the  9:05  las'  night,"  he  volun 
teered,  failing  to  evoke  interrogation. 

"  But  you  didn't  post  a  bulletin  after  you  got  in,  and 
you've  been  asleep  since." 

"  Oh,  yeou  git  eout!  I  guess  I  ain't  the  only  one  't  kin 
talk  or  see,  even  if  he  did  sneak  home  with  him  after  dark. 
Now,  honour  bright,  Doc,  jew  ever  know  'Bijah  had  a 
kid?" 

The  doctor  maintained  an  impassive  countenance. 
"  Don't  ask  professional  secrets,"  he  said,  his  swift  brain 
searching  in  forgotten  things.  He  knew  Abijah  inti 
mately,  he  thought,  but  Abijah  had  not  confided  in  him. 
Mr.  Murrey  came  around  from  behind  the  counter  and 
stood  beside  the  doctor,  and  the  assistant  triturated  the 
prescription  softly,  to  listen.  Old  Mr.  Deyo  moved  un 
easily. 


CHAPTER  FOUR  63 

"  The  train  was  pretty  late  las'  night,"  he  observed,  as 
pointing  out  a  possibly  extenuating  circumstance. 

"  'Twould  'a'  been  dark  when  that  train  got  in  any 
how,"  snapped  Silas. 

"  Well?  "  demanded  the  doctor  sharply. 

"  Well?  "  mimicked  Silas  hardily,  unconscious  of  the  im 
minent  violence  he  often  provoked,  "  is  he  married?  " 

"  Bah!  "  said  the  doctor  witheringly,  and  the  assistant 
grinned  unseen  behind  the  counter. 

"  Well,  some  folks  '11  wanter  kneow,  even  ef  yeou  ain't 
particular.  OF  Mis'  Bead,  for  instance.  I  don't  believe 
she  kneows  a  thing  abeout  the  hull  durn  business." 

''  It  oughtn't  to  surprise  his  mother,  or  any  one  else,  if 
'Bijah  rejects  the  conventional  way,  even  of  acquiring  a 
family.  For  all  you  know  he  may  bring  the  mother  in  on 
the  9  105  to-night.  As  reversing  the  usual  procedure,  that 
might  appeal  to  him." 

'  Well,  I  guess  I  shan't  bring  his  wife  in  to-night;  or 
any  other  time,"  said  Silas  significantly. 

''  No?     Of  course  she  may  be  dead." 

Silas  put  his  tongue  in  his  cheek. 

"  I  think  he  ought  to  take  care  of  the  boy,  if  he's  got 
one,  whether  he's  married  or  not,"  ventured  Mr.  Deyo 
with  surprising  decision,  for  he  was  a  man  who  loved 
peace,  and  seldom  obtruded  an  opinion. 

"  Good  for  you,  Deyo !  My  sentiments  to  a  T. 
'Bijah's  a  brick!  "  exclaimed  the  doctor  heartily. 

4  Well,  he  allus  seemed  to  be  a  good-hearted  feller," 
and  Mr.  Deyo  smiled  with  gentle  geniality  around  the 
circle. 

Silas  was  utterly  disgusted. 

"  Charity's  all  right,"  he  said,  "  but  'Bije  Bead's  too 
darned  queer  for  most  folks  to  stomach.  I  don't  believe 
Mrs.  Bead  '11  be  eout  looking  for  veal  when  this  prodigal 
gran'son  is  sprung  onto  her.  If  it's  all  right,  why  don't 


64  THE  PANG-YANGER 

he  say  so,  insteader  jes'  '  this  is  my  son'  's  if  that  was  all 
'twas  anybody's  business  to  kneow?  He  oughter  hev  some 
respect  fur  public  opinion,  fur  the  kid's  sake,  ef  he  ain't 
fur  his  eown." 

'  Why  the  devil  has  any  one  a  right  to  suppose  that 
there's  anything  disreputable  about  this  freak  of  'Bijah's? 
As  far  as  I  know  (and  if  I  don't  know  Hurstville  I  don't 
know  who  does),  he's  got  as  clean  a  record  as  any  man; 
cleaner  than  most  of  your  church  members,"  said  the  doc 
tor  hotly.  "  Good-afternoon,  Mrs.  Palmer,"  he  continued 
in  a  level  voice,  as  that  lady  entered  the  store.  Mr.  Mur 
rey  went  behind  the  counter  to  wait  upon  her. 

It  was  beginning  to  rain.  The  stage  slid  slowly  through 
the  cold  twilight  of  the  village  street  and  stopped  at  the 
post-office  opposite  to  take  up  the  mail. 

"  So  long,"  exclaimed  Silas,  abruptly  starting  for  the 
door.  As  he  reached  it,  Abijah  Bead  dashed  up  on  horse 
back,  holding  Rob  before  him,  bundled  in  his  great  storm 
coat,  which  flopped  damply  about  them  as  they  rode. 
Their  faces,  wet  with  the  rain,  were  bright  with  the  joy 
of  their  headlong  gallop,  and  the  boy  laughed  aloud  in 
sheer  glee  as  his  father  swung  from  the  saddle  and  set 
him  upon  his  feet. 

"  Run  up  into  that  doorway,"  said  Abijah,  and  paused 
to  throw  the  useful  storm  coat  over  the  broncho,  before  he 
bolted  after.  Several  people  in  the  stage  peered  curiously; 
Silas  volunteered  information  as  he  took  his  seat,  and 
neighbourly  speculation  was  soon  agog,  concerning  Abi- 
jah's  son. 

"This  looks  a  lot  like  'sneaking'  now,  don't  it?" 
growled  the  doctor  to  Mr.  Murrey  as  the  big  man  entered 
the  store,  the  boy  clinging  tightly  to  his  thumb. 

Abijah's  greeting  was  as  casual  as  usual.  "  Hello !  "  he 
called,  pausing  by  the  cigar  case,  "  gimme  a  smoke, 
Tommy  John,"  and  Rob  watched  him  with  absorbing  in- 


CHAPTER  FOUR  65 

terest  cut  and  light  a  cigar,  and  followed  close  at  heel  as 
he  sauntered  nonchalantly  to  the  gathering  place  around 
the  stove. 

"  Well,  Doc,  anybody  broke  the  record  since  I  left?  " 
he  enquired  as  he  took  a  seat. 

"  Not  unless  you  have,"  replied  the  doctor  significantly, 
glancing  at  the  child. 

"  Search  me,"  was  the  serene  answer,  and  Rob  made  a 
place  for  himself  against  his  father's  knee. 

"Usual  thing,  hey?" 

"  Perhaps  not,  exactly.  Gentlemen,  my  son,  Rob." 
A  note  of  dignity  in  the  careless  voice  discouraged  rib 
aldry,  and  the  child  went  to  each  man  present  and  held 
out  his  hand. 

"  Well  now,  he's  a  nice  little  feller,  anyhow,"  said  Mr. 
Deyo,  retaining  the  hand  he  clasped,  to  draw  the  child 
between  his  knees. 

"  How  old?  "  demanded  Dr.  Pomfret,  still  searching 
memory  blindly  for  forgotten  things. 

"  Five.  Hope  he  won't  make  you  as  much  trouble  as 
Bill  Hen  and  I  did,  Mr.  Deyo." 

'  Well,  you  two  did  get  into  most  of  the  scrapes  layin' 
around;  but  I  believe  in  boys  bein'  boys,"  and  the  old 
gentleman's  face  was  irradiated  with  his  gentle  smile. 
Rob  snuggled  up  to  him  confidingly. 

"  I'm  going  to  have  pants,  and  a  pony.  Father  says 
so,"  he  confided  ecstatically,  in  the  kindly  attentive  ear 
bent  over  him.  One  day  of  life  with  his  wonderful  father 
had  been  dazzling  with  the  joys  of  masculinity. 

"  I  guess  he's  a  chip  off  the  old  block,  'Bijah,"  inanely 
chuckled  old  Mr.  Deyo,  patting  the  boy  approvingly. 
'  I'm  sure  of  it,"  promptly. 

The  confidence  of  the  reply  irritated  the  doctor,  who, 
having  defended  Abijah's  eccentricities  ever  since  the  young 
man  had  set  up  his  solitary  penates  in  the  neighbourhood, 


66  THE  PANG-YANGER 

was  disgruntled  to  find  that  he  had  been  included  in 
Abijah's  general  reticence. 

'Think  you're  wiser  than  most  men,  do  you?"  he 
growled,  still  studying  the  child's  face,  in  the  fast-gather 
ing  dusk. 

"  I  back  my  opinion,  you  see,"  was  the  response. 

The  dripping  broncho,  hunched  up  beneath  the  in 
sufficient  shelter  of  his  storm  coat  in  the  rain  outside,  was  a 
hint  of  perturbation  on  Abijah's  part  which  did  not  escape 
the  observation  of  a  dapper  elderly  gentleman  who,  ap 
prised  of  the  owner's  return  by  the  presence  of  his  horse, 
entered  the  store  and  came  directly  towards  Abijah,  hold 
ing  his  wet  umbrella  gingerly  out  from  his  side.  There 
was  some  evident  understanding  between  the  two  men, 
for  Abijah  replied  to  an  unspoken  question  in  a  low  voice. 

"  Rotten,  Senator,"  he  said  calmly,  whereat  Mr.  Ten 
Eyke  appeared  greatly  disconcerted  and  held  his  umbrella 
in  dangerous  proximity  to  the  glowing  stove. 

"You — er — investigated  thoroughly,  then?"  he  en 
quired,  and  Abijah  laughed  sarcastically. 

"  There  wasn't  much  to  investigate.  It  was  just  as  I 
told  you,  one  of  the  bummest  'get  rich  quick'  schemes  ever 
sprung  on  a  confiding  public.  I  wouldn't  have  believed 
it  would  get  a  nibble  from  a  conservative  banker  of  your 
standing,  if  you  hadn't  mentioned  it  yourself,  Senator: 
hope  you  weren't  in  very  deep?  " 

"  Oh,  no !  No-o-o.  Not  at  all !  It  appeared  so  espe 
cially — I  may  say  uniquely — accredited,  and  on  first  im 
pressions  not,  er — impossible — that  was  all.  Of  course 
I  hardly  need  say — I  do  not  embark  on  any  enterprise 
without  exhaustive  investigations.  There  is  too  much  at 
stake  in  my  position  to  take  any  chances — too  much  at 
stake.  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  looking  into  it; 
—it  saves  me — er — time.  Your  judgment — of  course 
and — er — discretion " 


CHAPTER  FOUR  67 

"  Of  course!  "  Abijah  echoed  the  pompous  assurance, 
but  he  cocked  his  eye  at  the  uncomfortable  banker 
and  ex-Senator,  whose  heart  was  as  water  within  him,  real 
ising  that  the  discretion  would  in  no  degree  interfere  with 
caustic  innuendoes.  He  had  given  hostage  to  a  cynic,  be 
guiled  thereto  by  his  own  confidence  in  Abijah's  financial 
shrewdness  and  that  young  man's  insinuating  address  and 
delight  in  sheer  deviltry.  Privately  execrating  his  own 
complaisance,  he  turned  from  the  unreliable  guardian  of 
his  future  peace  of  mind,  and  addressed  the  other  men, 
who  had  drawn  apart  from  them  as  they  talked. 

"  Whom  have  you  there,  Mr.  Deyo?  "  he  enquired,  at 
tempting  his  usual  condescension. 

The  old  gentleman  hesitated,  feeling  vaguely  accessory 
to  the  fact. 

'  This  is  Rob  Bead,"  he  answered  very  slowly. 

"  Ah !  What  relative  of  yours,  'Bijah  ?  "  Mr.  Ten  Eyke 
enquired  carelessly,  preparing  to  leave  the  store. 

"  My  son,"  Abijah  responded,  and  the  Senator  sud 
denly  became  aware  of  the  unusual  atmosphere. 

"What  is  the  —  er  —  joke?"  he  asked,  looking 
around  enquiringly. 

"  Rob,  come  here,"  said  Abijah,  the  ring  of  parental 
authority  in  his  voice,  and  Rob  responded  with  expectant 
eyes.  The  assistant  was  lighting  the  lamps  about  the 
store,  and  the  glow  from  one  overhead  fell  full  on  the 
boy's  eager,  roseleaf  face  and  halo  of  ruddy  hair.  In 
the  sudden  illumination  the  doctor  blinked  incredulously 
from  father  to  son,  and  then  retired  abruptly  behind  the 
prescription  counter,  where  he  stood  with  lowering  brows, 
staring  blankly  at  the  neat  packages  of  drugs  Mr.  Mur 
rey  placed  in  his  hands.  Abijah  was  calmly  saying: 

'  This  is  my  son  Rob.  His  old  nurse  died  the  other 
day,  and  I  didn't  know  any  one  else  to  trust  him  to,  so  I've 
got  to  take  a  whack  at  his  upbringing  myself.  Rob,  this 


68  THE   PANG-YANGER 

gentleman  is  Mr.  Ten  Eyke,  in  whose  judgment  and  er— 
discretion — of  course — 

The  situation  dawned  slowly  on  the  Senator,  owing  to 
an  ever  present  sub-consciousness  of  Abijah's  propensity  to 
jest. 

"  Er — how  d'  do?  "  fumbling  helplessly  for  his  glasses. 
"  Isn't  he  rather  young  to  bring  out  in  such  weather  ?  Why 
don't  you  take  him  to  your  mother?  " 

"  Fact  is,"  said  Abijah  with  an  air  of  confidence,  "  I've 
heard,  by  and  large,  a  good  deal  of  criticism  anent 
mother's  way  of  bringing  up  a  boy.  Now  I've  got  a  the 
ory,  it  isn't  crystallised  yet  and  I  hope  I'm  amenable  to 
suggestions.  What  would  you  think  of  just  reversing  her 
process?  " 

Mr.  Ten  Eyke  did  not  immediately  reply.  He  had  got 
ten  his  glasses  on  his  nose,  and  was  staring,  undisguisedly. 
It  required  no  second  glance  for  him  to  recognise  the  re 
semblance  which  had  at  first  baffled  the  doctor,  and  hard 
ened  old  sinner  though  he  was  himself,  the  discovery 
shocked  him  inexpressibly.  The  maternal  physiognomy 
was  stamped  upon  the  child,  in  unmistakable  colour  and 
contour.  There  might  well  be  question  of  his  paternity, 
and  as  that  occurred  to  him,  he  glanced  sharply  at  Abijah's 
inscrutable  countenance.  Abijah  certainly  did  not  look 
like  an  ass,  but  the  chances  were  his  conduct  was  repre 
hensible. 

"  On  general  principles  your  theory  would  appear  to  be 
a  perfect  one,"  said  the  Senator  with  deliberate  severity, 
and  his  endorsement  appeared  to  afford  its  recipient  a 
modest  satisfaction. 

"  Now,  about  the  exposure  you  spoke  of,"  he  resumed, 
expansively,  "  in  the  first  place  he  wasn't  exposed,  and 
in  the  second,  I  believe  in  being  blooded  to  the  soil. 
Thanks- 

"  I'm  looking  for  that  husband  of  mine.     He  has  es- 


CHAPTER  FOUR  69 

caped  with  my  umbrella.  Has  he  been  in  here,  Mr.  Mur 
rey?  " 

The  familiar  voice  startled  every  one  except  Abijah, 
who,  facing  the  door,  had  seen  Mrs.  Benji  Phelps  hesi 
tating  on  the  threshold. 

"  No,  he  hasn't  been  in,  Mrs.  Phelps,"  said  Mr.  Mur 
rey,  scudding  hastily  forward,  "  but  I  can  lend  you  an 
umbrella  if  you  wish  to  get  home,"  and  the  good  little 
man  urgently  presented  a  huge  loose  gingham  affair  belong 
ing  to  Mr.  Deyo,  which  he  had  caught  up  with  some  vague 
idea  of  intercepting  the  lady's  entrance.  She,  however, 
appeared  serenely  oblivious  of  the  contretemps  of  her  ar 
rival,  and  smiled  lightly  at  his  uncouth  offering. 

11  I  thank  you,  but  I'll  wait  a  few  minutes  for  Mr. 
Phelps.  I  guess  he'll  find  me,"  she  said  with  the  playful 
assurance  of  the  woman  who  receives  continual  adulation. 
Her  expression  was  perfectly  natural  as  her  negligent 
glance  sought  covertly  for  the  child  whose  presence  her 
fear  divined;  Mr.  Deyo's  inert  bulk  intercepted  her  vision, 
and  Abijah  laid  a  restraining  hand  upon  his  son,  and  drew 
him  closer.  Only  he  realised,  as  she  stood  in  dainty  non 
chalance  before  them  all,  her  roseleaf  face  abloom,  the 
raindrops  sparkling  in  the  glorious  halo  of  her  ruddy  hair, 
that  her  presence  there  was  not  an  accident,  but  a  defiance : 
a  characteristic  determination  of  a  brave  woman  to  face 
the  worst  at  once,  and  have  it  over.  And  ah !  how  lovely 
she  was — how  utterly  lovely!  The  hurt  of  it  clutched 
the  heart,  and  to  the  others,  the  old  life-long  friends  and 
neighbours  of  them  both,  seeing  the  calamity  impending, 
her  unconsciousness  seemed  innocent,  and  even  nature's  evi 
dence  failed  to  smirch  at  once  the  living,  present  woman : 
so  fair,  so  familiar;  the  little  Sarah  Silliman  who  had 
come  in  confidingly  among  them,  as  she  had  been  doing  all 
her  life.  The  hearts  of  the  men  rose  up  as  one  against 
the  outlaw  who  proclaimed  his  triumph;  the  thing  was 


70  THE  PANG-YANGEK 

monstrous,  futile,  cruel,  and  Abijah  was  quick  to  feel  him 
self  in  Coventry.  The  denouement  was  something  more 
dramatic  than  he  had  designed,  but  he  enveloped  himself 
and  progeny  in  clouds  of  smoke  and  awaited  events  with 
the  impassiveness  of  the  Sphinx.  Having  propounded 
the  question,  he  waited  the  mortal  answer,  cynically  sure, 
in  his  own  mind,  what  it  would  be. 

Mr.  Ten  Eyke  proceeded  down  the  store  with  pompous 
alacrity,  and  a  chivalrous  impulse  to  throw  the  protection 
of  a  distinguished  citizen  about  beleaguered  beauty.  It 
was  disconcerting,  certainly,  to  find  his  gallant  intent  al 
most  nullified  by  the  lady's  perfect  aplomb,  but  he  stood  to 
it  doughtily.  The  little  matter  of  peccant  speculation  of 
which  Abijah  had  contrived  to  get  an  inkling,  rankled  at 
the  back  of  the  banker's  head,  and  inclined  him  to  succour 
any  one  suffering  from  the  young  man's  machinations.  He 
told  himself  that  this  was  all  some  devil's  jest,  some  special 
atrocity  of  the  abandoned  Abijah,  and  the  wild  phantas 
magoria  evoked  by  Rob's  resemblance  almost  faded  in  the 
level  gaze  of  the  lady's  wide,  serene  brown  eyes. 

"  How  does  it  happen  you  are  wandering  about  in  this 
storm  alone  like  a  lost  angel  ?  "  he  enquired  with  more  haste 
than  happiness,  but  the  lady  took  it  not  amiss,  and  smiled 
upon  him  brilliantly. 

"  Oh,  I  was  over  in  the  post-office  with  Benji.  writing 
for  time-tables,  and  when  I  looked  around,  lo!  there  was 
no  husband  there.  I  think  it  will  serve  him  right  to  look 
for  me,  now,  don't  you?  " 

"  Precisely  right.  But — time-tables,  say  you?  Whith 
er  away,  fair  lady?  " 

"  Oh,  a  long  way.  At  least  I  wish  so.  We're  trying 
to  coax  father  Phelps  to  let  Benji  take  me  abroad  this 
spring.  I've  never  been,  you  know.  There  will  be  six 
weeks  more  of  bad  weather  here,  and  somehow,  it's  gotten 
on  my  nerves.  I  want  to  go  and  find  the  spring  right 


CHAPTER  FOUR  71 

away.  Is  that  Dr.  Pomfret  back  there?  I  want  to  see 
him." 

"  Pomfret,  you're  wanted  here,"  called  the  Senator,  and 
the  physician  responded  with  inscrutable  professional  ur 
banity. 

"  Oh,  Dr.  Pomfret,  I  want  you  to  be  on  my  side,"  cried 
the  lady. 

The  doctor  bowed  profoundly. 

"  Command  me,  madam,"  he  said  grandiloquently,  and 
they  all  laughed  a  little  hysterically. 

No  one  glanced  at  Abijah.  He  was  cut  off  from  the 
sympathy  of  his  kind. 

"  I  knew  I  could!  Well,  isn't  this  weather  enough  to 
drive  one  melancholy  mad?  " 

"  It  certainly  is." 

"  Then  don't  you  think  I  need  to  take  an  ocean  voy 
age?"  and  Mrs.  Phelps  held  up  her  charming  face  and 
laughed  in  consciousness  that  its  perfect  health  refuted  her 
plea  completely. 

"  I  think  a  woman's  wishes  are  her  necessities,"  said  the 
doctor  gallantly. 

;'  I  thought  I  could  depend  on  you  for  a  sound  profes 
sional  opinion.  Now,  if  you  can  only  persuade  father 
Phelps !  I  am  so  tired  of  this  little  narrow  valley  of  the 
Kills.  Why,  I've  scarcely  been  out  of  it  all  my  life,  you 
know,"  and  Mrs.  Phelps  made  this  reference  to  her  daily 
walk  and  conduct,  with  an  air  of  ingenuous  innocence, 
which  moved  the  doctor  to  internal  laughter.  Neverthe 
less,  he  liked  her  pluck — one  woman  against  the  world — 
and  meant  to  help  her. 

"  I  imagine  I  can  impress  Phelps  with  a  proper  sense  of 
his  duty  as  a  man  and  a  father,"  he  said  drily,  and  stepped 
to  the  door  as  a  sleigh  jingled  up  and  stopped.  "  That's 
my  rig.  You  better  let  me  take  you  home,  Mrs.  Phelps. 
Benji's  off  on  some  wild-goose  chase  or  other,  and  there's 


72  THE  PANG-YANGER 

no  use  waiting  for  him  anyway,  and  walking  home  through 
this  slush.  I  thought  you  had  better  sense  than  to  come 
out  on  a  night  like  this;  the  walks  are  ankle-deep  in 
slush !  " 

"  Oh,  I  do  not  mind  the  walking.  But  are  you  sure  it 
won't  be  out  of  your  way?  "  said  Mrs.  Phelps,  rising. 
There  was  a  suspicion  of  relief  on  her  face,  which  was 
slightly  paler  than  when  she  came  in. 

"  No.  I'm  going  out  to  Dunham  to-night.  Come  on 
with  that  umbrella  of  yours  now,  Murrey.  Mrs.  Phelps 
is  ready  to  use  it." 

A  blast  of  wind  drove  the  rain  in  upon  them  at  the 
threshold,  and  anything  less  weather-worthy  than  the 
stout  umbrella  would  have  afforded  no  protection.  The 
Senator  did  not  attempt  to  raise  his  own,  but  faced 
the  storm  close-reefed. 

"  Good-night,"  he  called.  u  I  don't  wonder  you  desire 
to  escape  from  this  inclement  climate." 

"  Good-night,  good-night,"  cried  the  doctor,  and  his 
boisterousness  covered  Mrs.  Phelps'  silence.  She  had  ut 
terly  collapsed  beside  him,  suddenly  convulsed  by  dry  sob 
bing,  without  a  sound.  The  queer  old  doctor  felt  his 
heart  go  out  to  this  poor  soul,  who  in  her  prosperity  had 
not  appealed  to  him  at  all;  and  he  laid  his  hand  on  hers, 
kindly,  and  sent  his  horses  racing  towards  her  home. 

"  I'm  coming  in,  Sarah,"  he  said,  when  he  had  lifted 
her  from  the  sleigh,  and  still  she  did  not  speak;  nor  after 
ward,  when  he  had  half  carried  her  into  the  house  and 
laid  her  on  her  bed.  Only  the  hard,  convulsive  sobbing 
went  on,  and  racked  her  through  the  night,  even  under 
the  narcotics  he  administered.  Dawn  found  him  at  the 
bedside,  and  in  the  dim  hours  a  little  life,  without  a  soul, 
slipped  back  into  the  void,  while  he  wrestled  on  the  verge 
of  a  deeper  void  to  retain  the  fullborn,  sinful  soul  on  earth. 


V 

IT  had  rained  continuously  from  the  first  day  of  Bar 
bara's  arrival,  and  she  had  passed  most  of  the  time 
with   Madam   Hurst,   striving  to   repress   a   cough, 
and  disguise  the  homesickness  which  consumed  her.     In 
the  latter  effort  she  was  completely  successful.     Madam 
detected  no  undertone  of  dreariness  in  her  vivacity,  and  so 
childishly  delighted  in  her  that  she  did  not  note  the  mean 
ing  of  the  girl's  flushed  cheeks  and  brilliant  eyes,  until 
Aunt  Helen  laid  a  bony  hand  on  Barbara's  forehead  and 
grimly  pronounced  her  "  feverish." 

Now  there  is  an  obvious  propriety  in  the  suggestions  of 
some  excellent  people,  which  invariably  produces  antago 
nism,  and  places  the  rest  of  the  world  in  a  contrary  and 
perverse  frame  of  mind.  Barbara  vaguely  resented  any  in 
terposition  of  her  Aunt  Helen's,  as  superfluous  and  unwar 
ranted,  and  controlled  her  irritation  by  an  effort.  She 
attributed  her  languor  to  fatigue,  scoffed  the  idea  of  a  doc 
tor,  and  only  retired  to  her  room  when  bodily  carried 
there  by  Mam'  Lilly,  who  was  wild  with  anxiety. 

'  I'm  homesick!  That's  all  the  kind  of  sick  I  am,  and 
I  shall  not  be  dosed  for  it !  You  ought  to  understand,  I 
can't  break  poor  little  Maman's  heart  by  even  hinting 
such  a  thing,"  Barbara  told  her,  and  instead  of  going  com 
fortably  to  bed,  as  Aunt  Helen  recommended,  she  curled 
up  on  the  couch  by  the  fire,  and  tried  to  read.  Big  tears 
of  unavailing  childish  resentment  filled  her  eyes,  when  the 
doctor's  presence  was  announced. 

'  Whatever  stuff  he  gives  me,  you'll  have  to  take,  I 

73 


74  THE  PANG-YANGER 

shan't,  that's  certain  !  I  never  was  bullied  so  in  my  life !  " 
she  sobbed,  throwing  herself  upon  Mam'  Lilly's  bosom,  as 
Aunt  Helen  left  the  room:  and  Mam'  Lilly  patted  her,  and 
crooned  comfort,  and  brought  the  comb  to  arrange  her 
hair.  Barbara  wiped  her  eyes,  to  look  in  the  mirror,  and 
the  brilliant  piquant  face  reflected  brought  a  smile.  The 
dark  hair  clung  in  little  curls  around  her  face  and  neck, 
and  she  further  dishevelled  it,  with  an  artistic  touch,  evad 
ing  Mam'  Lilly's  ministrations. 

"  I'm  going  down  just  as  I  am;  I'm  almost  beautiful  to 
day;  I  never  knew  a  fever  was  so  becoming,  or  I'd  have 
had  one  before,"  she  said  perversely.  Talking  to  Mam' 
Lilly  was  only  thinking  aloud :  Barbara  had  no  more  than 
a  wholesome  share  of  vanity. 

She  found  there  was  a  curious,  far-away  feeling  in  her 
head,  and  an  unaccountable  unsteadiness  in  her  knees,  when 
Mam'  Lilly  set  her  down  outside  Madam's  door;  and 
she  hesitated  a  moment  on  the  threshold,  her  hand  on  the 
doorknob.  The  doctor  was  buried  in  the  depths  of  a  great 
armchair  near  Madam. 

"  Excuse  my  not  rising,"  he  said  carelessly,  as  Madam 
pronounced  an  introduction,  and  held  out  his  hand  as  to  a 
child. 

"Oh,  certainly,  sir!  Age  has  its  privileges,"  Barbara 
murmured,  and  seated  herself  in  a  chair  near  the  door 
with  languid  dignity. 

The  doctor  stared.  His  brusqueness  was  generally  con 
doned,  and  Madam  put  her  fan  to  her  lips  to  hide  a 
smile,  as  he  rose  briskly  to  his  feet,  executed  a  profound 
and  mocking  bow,  and  advanced  gallantly  across  the 
room.  Barbara  was  on  her  feet  in  an  instant,  and  laid 
her  hand  in  his  with  the  gracious  air  of  accepting  an 
apology. 

"  And  so  has  youth  its  privileges,  it  seems.  I  seldom 
claim  mine,  but  I  think  even  Southern  punctilio  might  slur 


CHAPTER  FIVE  75 

ceremony,  after  fifty  miles  of  such  roads  as  I  have  ridden 
to-day,"  he  said  grimly. 

"  Then,  why  did  you  rise?  "  enquired  Barbara  demurely, 
trying  to  withdraw  the  hand  he  was  retaining. 

"Oh,  I  rose  to  a  question  of  privilege,  didn't  I? 
Thank  you  for  reminding  me  of  it,"  he  replied  coolly,  and 
stooping,  his  white  moustache  lightly  brushed  her  fore 
head  in  a  kiss. 

"  Ah !  The  standard  of  values,  North  and  South,  does 
not  differ  so  much  after  all,"  murmured  Barbara  com 
posedly,  and  Madam  regarded  the  scene  with  lively  in 
terest,  but  Aunt  Helen's  knitting  needles  clicked  impa 
tiently,  in  the  long  black  stocking  she  was  always 
knitting. 

The  doctor's  eyes  twinkled  behind  his  spectacles. 

'  You  are  wonderfully  like  your  grandfather,  my  girl, 
and  he  was  a  venturesome  man !  "  he  said  drily. 

Barbara  smiled  up  at  the  portrait  above  her,  and  the 
line  of  her  firm  little  chin  and  delicately  curved  throat 
was  thrown  into  relief  by  the  movement.  Perhaps  for 
the  only  time  in  her  life  she  was  brilliantly  beautiful,  but 
she  had  entirely  forgotten  the  fact  now. 

'  That  picture  gives  me  the  feeling  of  '  belonging,'  ' 
she  said  dreamily. 

"  Family  likenesses  are  a  rare  study."  The  doctor's 
eyes  were  on  Barbara's  face,  he  still  retained  her  hand,  but 
his  thought  had  travelled  from  the  individual  to  the  general 
aspect  of  the  subject  as  usual,  and  his  voice  betrayed  his 
abstraction. 

"  I  wish  you  would  permit  me  to  sit  down,  sir!  I  am 
very  tired."  Barbara's  plaintive  tone  recalled  him,  and  he 
led  her  across  the  room  and  seated  her  in  a  low  chair  op 
posite  his  own,  with  most  unheard-of  gallantry. 

'  You  are  about  sick.  Our  standards  of  climatic  values 
are  coming  near,  too,  by  this  time,  aren't  they?  "  he  asked, 


76  THE  PANG-YANGER 

and  laid  a  finger  on  her  pulse,  before  finally  releasing  her 
hand. 

"  Oh,  peccavi!  "  she  said  impatiently,  sinking  back  in  her 
chair. 

"  Umph!  Nature  doesn't  offer  absolution  upon  confes 
sion,"  he  observed  experimentally,  and  the  rosary  began  to 
slide  through  Madam's  fingers,  and  Barbara's  eyes  glowed 
an  instant  answer  to  the  challenge,  as  she  enquired  quickly: 

'  Then  what  of  your  office,  High  Priest?  " 

"  It  gives  nepenthe — sometimes,"  said  the  doctor,  de 
lighted  with  the  wide-eyed  eager  child  before  him. 

"Oh,  the  waters  of  Lethe!  They  have  been  flowing 
through  the  centuries.  Is  that  the  best  science  can  do  for 
us  yet?  " 

"  Before  you  have  gone  very  far  through  this  world, 
my  girl,  you  will  be  abjectly  grateful  for  even  lethal 
mercy,"  said  the  doctor  dogmatically. 

"Abject,  certainly,  if  grateful!  that  the  rack  should 
cease !  I  don't  acknowledge  the  justice  of  the  Inquisi 
tion." 

'  Justice.  There's  no  question  of  justice  in  the  matter: 
though,  if  you  put  it  that  way,  most  of  us  wouldn't  want 
it,  if  there  was  any  surety  of  pardon.  '  Remember,  Jew, 
that  in  the  course  of  justice  '  — the  doctor  was  watching 
the  girl  with  growing  interest. 

'  That's  mere  chicanery,  with  or  without  the  context. 
Portia  was  a  fraud !  Who  wants  mercy?  We  must  work 
out  our  own  salvation.  It's  a  matter  of  individual  re 
sponsibility;  don't  you  think,  sir?  " 

Aunt  Helen's  knitting  needles  struck  sparks.  "  Scandal 
ous,"  she  muttered,  looking  imperatively  towards  Madam, 
but  the  eyes  of  the  gentle  devotee  were  fixed  on  the  ivory 
Christ  across  the  room,  and  the  rosary  sped  faster  through 
her  prayerful  fingers.  The  two  disputants  were  per 
fectly  oblivious  to  a  disparaging  audience :  Barbara  had, 


CHAPTER  FIVE  77 

as  usual,  thrown  herself  heart  and  soul  into  the  conversa 
tion,  and  the  doctor  was  doing  her  the  honour  of  paying 
her  respectful  attention.  The  keen  interest  and  quick  in 
sight  of  this  absurdly  frivolous-looking  girl,  her  range 
of  thought  and  familiarity  with  abstruse  subjects,  were 
piquantly  incongruous. 

"  Responsibility,"  growled  the  doctor.  "  The  line  of 
demarcation  overlaps.  Matter  remembers:  and,  as  it  is 
a  fixed  quantity,  it  becomes  of  necessity  a  mixed  quantity. 
It's  impossible  to  draw  a  sharp  line  of  individual  responsi 
bility." 

'  The  Sphinx  problem,"  mused  the  girl. 

"Oh,  that  old  windmill !" 

Her  eyes  were  interrogative. 

'  The  ages  have  ridden  a  tilt  at  it,"  she  said,  surprised. 

;'  Nevertheless,  there  is  no  such  problem,"  the  doctor  in 
sisted. 

Barbara  reflected. 

"  Do  you  mean,"  she  asked  slowly,  "  that  it's  all  Maya, 
Illusion?  I'm  not  an  adept." 

"Umph!  Read  a  good  deal,  don't  you?"  asked  the 
doctor. 

"  Why — yes,  sir!  I  suppose  I  do.  It  was  one  of  my 
grandfather's  fads :  he  liked  me  to  keep  up  with  him  in 
that,  as  well  as  in  riding  cross  country,"  admitted  Barbara 
with  some  diffidence. 

"  I  thought  so !  You've  got  mental  dyspepsia  from 
over-ingestion  of  excellent  matter.  Fast  a  while  and  as 
similate:  think  for  a  change!  "  the  doctor  advised  in  his 
most  overbearing  manner. 

The  pink  shot  in  fine  lines  to  Barbara's  temples: 
Colonel  Haygood  had  always  triumphantly  refuted  criti 
cism  of  his  peculiar  method  of  her  upbringing  by  results, 
concerning  which  no  one  was  much  disposed  to  cavil,  and 
Barbara  had  a  reasonable  conceit  of  her  own  perspicuity, 


78  THE  PANG-YANGER 

and  faced  her  antagonist  with  level-lidded  and  serene  in 
souciance,  bred  of  an  assurance  equal  to  his  own. 

"  They  that  are  whole  need  not  a  physician :  since  you 
are  here  to  prescribe,  pray  read  the  riddle  of  the  painful 
earth  to  me,"  she  drawled.  "  Demonstrate  the  little  prob 
lem  of  the  eternal  '  why  '  of  things." 

A  smile  lurked  beneath  the  doctor's  grizzled  moustache, 
but  his  brows  drew  down  formidably  on  this  audacious 
young  creature.  No  one  ever  ventured  to  address  him  in 
his  own  manner,  and  it  tickled  him  that  this  slender  slip  of 
a  girl  was  browbeating  him. 

"  I've  told  you  there  is  no  such  question,"  he  said  in  a 
less  domineering  tone;  "you  can't  state  the  problem. 
There's  the  key:  use  it!  " 

Her  wide,  thought-darkened  eyes  looked  at  him 
earnestly. 

"  I  do  not  understand,"  she  acknowledged,  with  a  be 
guiling  air  of  discipleship  to  superior  knowledge. 

"  You  cannot  predicate  cause  of  infinity,"  said  the  doctor 
impressively. 

Barbara  caught  her  breath:  there  was  a  curious  little 
catch  of  excitement  in  her  voice. 

"  Oh,"  she  cried,  her  face  illumined,  "  and  I  never  saw 
that  before!  "  The  import  of  the  tremendous  idea  de 
stroyed  all  girlish  pique  and  consciousness,  and  the  blase 
physician  studied  her  absorption  with  a  kindling  personal 
interest. 

"You  cannot  state  an  equation  between  finite  and  infinite 
in  terms  of  cognition :  and  a  problem  which  cannot  be 
formulated  is  non-existent;  to  rational  beings  a  palpable 
absurdity,"  he  said. 

"  And  I  never  saw  it  before,"  repeated  Barbara  wonder- 
ingly.  '  Why,  Doctor,  it  settles — everything).  " 

He  smiled  benignly  on  her  young  enthusiasm. 

"  There  is  something  about  the  formula,  as  you  give  it, 


CHAPTER  FIVE  79 

which  is  illuminative  !  It  is  so  simple !  so  obvious !  I  have 
read  and  heard  it  without  grasping  it  before.  Of  course 
it's  Spencerian " 

''  It  is  the  formula  of  a  Vedantic  monk.  His  working 
philosophy  was  satisfactory,  but  he  ignored  this  question, 
the  object  of  creation,  and  I  asked  as  you  did — why? 
His  answer  crumpled  up  my  Occidental  conceit." 

"  But  it  is  such  a  relief  when  you  take  it  in !  " 

'  Yes,  it  makes  the  gabble  of  the  Creeds  ridiculous :  a 
thing  unthinkable  is  so  clearly  beyond  our  province, 
whether  it  exists,  or  not.  The  vision  of  the  Oversoul  is 
not  cognition;  it  is  dreaming.  Visions  may  be  comforting 
and  helpful  to  the  mystic; but  clear-eyed, stout-heartedmen 
and  women  of  to-day  depend  on  the  deductions  of  their 
brains.  Faith  is  an  intellectual  impossibility:  Hope  is  the 
sheet  anchor  of  this  world;  and  you  may  rationally  hope 
for  anything  you  wish,  I  suppose.  I'm  glad  you  use  your 
brains;  not  many  do." 

'  Yeou'd  better  tend  to  yeour  patient,  Doctor!  "  Mrs. 
Helen's  admonition  cut  sharply  into  the  conversation  and 
the  doctor  sprang  to  Madam's  side.  Her  face  was  livid, 
and  her  delicate  hands  clutched  at  the  chair-arms  in 
agony.  Aunt  Helen  calmly  handed  the  doctor  the  remedy 
always  kept  at  hand  for  these  paroxysms,  and  Barbara  in 
motionless  terror  watching  the  intolerable  anguish  of  the 
hapless  lady.  Zillah  came  swiftly  and  silently  into  the 
room,  warned  by  some  vague  premonition,  but  finding  the 
doctor  in  charge,  she  stopped  by  Barbara. 

'  There  is  nothing  you  can  do;  you  had  better  go  to 
your  room,"  she  said  kindly,  and  led  the  girl  away. 

It  was  growing  dark  in  the  wide  old  hallway  as  the 
doctor  toiled  wearily  upstairs  beside  Zillah. 

"  Such  a  damn  fool!  "  he  growled  self-accusatively,  and 
not  understanding  the  circumstances,  Zillah  did  not  com 
mit  herself  to  consolation. 


8o  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Barbara  was  pacing  the  floor,  Mam'  Lilly  following 
her,  one  step  behind,  and  they  stopped  in  the  middle  of  the 
room  as  the  door  opened. 

"  How  is  she?  "  the  girl  demanded  in  a  strained,  un 
natural  voice,  and  the  doctor  hastened  to  reassure  her  of 
Madam's  present  safety  and  comfort. 

"  Zillah,  I  shall  go  back  home  to-morrow,  before  I  kill 
her!  "  cried  Barbara,  turning  to  her  cousin  in  passionate 
self-denunciation. 

"  Absurd !  Every  one  has  to  learn  how  to  treat  such  an 
invalid  as  Aunt  Felicite.  Probably  you  really  had  very 
little  to  do  with  this  attack,"  replied  Zillah  kindly. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  had.  I  was  going  on  irresponsibly,  just  as 
the  colonel  and  I  always  talked.  I  forgot  all  about  her 
being  a  religieuse,  and  she  doubtless  saw  me  headed 
straight  for  the  bottomless  pit.  Oh,  the  poor,  poor  lit 
tle  thing!  "  and  Barbara  suddenly  turned  and  laid  her 
head  upon  Mam'  Lilly's  arm,  and  burst  into  a  passion 
of  tears. 

"  I  assure  you,  Miss  Zillah,  there  was  no  one  to  blame 
but  me,  and  I  haven't  any  better  excuse  than  that  cur, 
Adam  !  I  followed  this  will-o'-the-wisp." 

"What  did  we  say?"  demanded  Barbara,  lifting  her 
tear-stained  face  from  Mam'  Lilly's  arm. 

"  Well,  we  didn't  stop  at  trifles,"  admitted  the  doctor 
so  ruefully  that  Barbara  laughed  hysterically. 

"  A  cross-country  run,  Zillah  "  (they  both  seemed  to 
feel  it  incumbent  to  confess  to  Zillah,  and  she  listened  dis 
passionately) ,  "  and  we  took  everything  in  the  way  until 
Aunt  Helen  stopped  us!  Oh,  Doctor!  Doctor!  "  Bar 
bara  broke  off,  stretching  imploring  hands  towards  him 
over  Mam'  Lilly's  encircling  arms.  Her  lips  quivered  piti 
fully.  "  I  can't  bear  it !  /  can't  bear  it!  She  is  tortured!  " 
and  the  tears  streamed  unheeded  down  her  face,  as  she 
looked  at  the  old  man  beseechingly. 


CHAPTER  FIVE  81 

"  Poor  thing!  Poor  thing!  "  The  doctor's  voice  was 
very  pitiful. 

"  There  ought  to  be  euthanasia !  It  is  cruel  to  let  her 
keep  on  suffering.  I  can't  bear  it!  " 

"  She  is  a  brave  soul.  You  must  not  stay  with  her  in 
another  attack,  my  girl." 

"What  difference  will  staying  make?  I  shall  see  it, 
just  the  same.  The  little  saint !  Zillah,  how  can  you  bear 
it?" 

Zillah  did  not  answer:  she  walked  to  the  window, 
and  stood  with  her  back  to  them.  She  was  shaken  with 
suppressed  sobs. 

"  My  girl," — the  doctor's  voice  was  husky,  and  so  low 
Zillah  did  not  hear  the  words, — "  it  has  been  harder  for 
that  good  woman,  than  for  Madam.  Considering  both 
temperaments,  far  harder.  In  the  intervals  Madam  for 
gets  pain.  That  woman,  never!" 

;'  If  there  is  a  God,  he's  devilish,"  said  Barbara  between 
her  teeth. 

11  It  is  too  bad,  too  bad  you  saw  this;  though  I  suppose 
it  was  unavoidable  sometime.  And  you  are  half  sick  with 
your  cold  too.  I'll  send  you  up  some  medicines  from 
Murrey's.  Put  the  child  to  bed,  Mammy,"  said  the  doc 
tor  in  his  authoritative  way. 

Mam'  Lilly  lifted  Barbara  like  an  infant,  sat  down  with 
her  in  her  lap,  and  began  rocking  quietly,  and  the  tendance 
seemed  a  thing  so  natural  and  fitting,  that  the  doctor  nod 
ded  his  approval. 

'  I'll  come  in  in  the  morning  to  see  how  both  you  and 
Madam  are,"  he  said,  turning  to  the  door. 

14  Doctor,"  said  Barbara,  like  a  spoiled  child,  "  don't 
make  it  very  nasty!  " 

He  looked  back  over  his  shoulder  indulgently,  but 

4  I'm  not  a  confectioner,  miss,"  he  said  gruffly,  as  he 
left  the  room. 


VI 

OH,  I  say,  Sally,  where'd  you  get  'em?  "  cried  Mr. 
Phelps  as  he  entered  his  wife's  apartment 
Easter  Eve,  and  found  her  languidly  arrang 
ing  a  profusion  of  roses,  heaped  on  the  table. 

'  Your  mother,"  replied  Mrs.  Phelps,  lifting  her  face 
to  his  caress. 

'The  Mater!  Why,  she  has  robbed  the  sanctuary! 
She  always  cuts  her  Easter  roses  for  the  church !  "  he  ex 
claimed,  selecting  a  pale  pink  tea  rose  and  sniffing  it 
luxuriantly. 

'  That's  exactly  what  she  said.  She  thought  I  needed 
them,  as  I  couldn't  go  to  church.  I'm  sorry  she's  too 
poorly  to  come  over  to-morrow." 

"  Never  saw  the  Mater  so  broken  up !  Nervous,  you 
know,  fidgety  as  a  witch !  Don't  seem  to  be  anything 
the  matter  either,  as  far  as  I  can  find  out:  I  quizzed  Dad, 
too.  Dr.  Pom  fret  says  she'd  better  lie  low  and  keep 
quiet  a  bit.  Don't  think  the  racket  here  would  be  very 
distracting,"  grumbled  Benji  Phelps,  vaguely  disturbed 
by  a  growing  restraint  upon  all  his  social  impulses,  but 
utterly  unconscious  of  the  scandal  which  harassed  the  rest 
of  his  family.  His  own  faculties  were  of  the  order  which 
made  him  ever  the  last  to  discern  the  obvious,  and  in  this 
important  instance,  he  had  had  no  opportunity  to  do  so. 
He  had  but  glimpsed  Abijah's  son  the  night  of  his  arrival. 
This  freak  of  Abijah's,  by  the  way,  afforded  a  capital 
chance  for  retaliation  for  past  raillery,  and  young  Mr. 
Phelps  had  availed  himself  of  it  to  the  full.  For  the  un- 

82 


CHAPTER  SIX  83 

suspicious  life  of  him,  however,  he  could  not  understand 
why  Abijah's  other  victims  were  so  loath  to  join  him. 

"What  train  does  Maude  come  on?"  enquired  Mrs. 
Phelps,  who  had  been  alert  during  her  convalescence  for 
the  reflection  of  the  gossip  she  knew  was  raging  around 
them,  and  felt  it  already  in  the  infrequent  visits  of  her 
husband's  kin. 

"  Well,  it's  a  queer  thing,  but  she  isn't  coming  home. 
She's  gone  off  to  New  York  with  her  chum,  when  she  knows 
how  hipped  we  are.  Beastly  selfish  of  her,  I  think: 
Mater  says  she  advised  it;  because  we're  bound  to  have  a 
dismal  Easter  anyhow,  and  no  use  spoiling  Maude's.  By 
Jove !  I  think  Maude  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  her 
self !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Phelps  with  frank  fraternal  indig 
nation. 

'  There's  a  folio  of  music  she  has  sent  us  as  an  Easter 
remembrance." 

"  Classic  stuff,  I  suppose." 

"  Oh,  she  condescends  a  little  to  us  Philistines.  I  envy 
her  the  New  York  Easter  music." 

"Oh,  gee!  That  reminds  me,  I've  got  some  ripping 
news,  Sally.  Guess  what  the  governor  told  me  to-day; 
it's  his  Easter  gift,  I  suppose." 

Mrs.  Phelps  wearily  refused  to  guess. 
'  Well,  it  '11  liven  you  up  a  trifle  if  anything  will." 

"  Oh,  Ben,  he  didn't  say " 

'  Yes,  he  did.  Says  I  can  draw  on  him  for  a  reasonable 
amount  if  the  doctor  thinks  you  ought  to  cross  the  pond 
this  spring." 

"  Oh,  I  am  so  glad!  "  Mrs.  Phelps  put  her  hand  for 
a  moment  to  her  eyes  to  hide  their  expression  of  unutter 
able  relief. 

'  Why,  dear,  if  I'd  thought  you  felt  so  bad  about  it, 
we'd  have  gone  anyhow,"  said  Mr.  Phelps,  bending  over 
her  anxiously;  "  Dad  seemed  concerned  because  you  were 


84  THE  PANG-YANGER 

not  getting  around  faster.     Say,  Sally — you  are  getting 

around  all  right,  aren't  you?  " 

His  wife  lifted  her  beautiful  eyes  to  him,  they  were 
inscrutable  now,  and  the  roseleaf  colour  came  back  to  her 
face. 

''I  haven't  hurried  my  convalescence,  Benji,  boy!  I 
thought  the  Dad  wouldn't  see  me  languish  much  longer!  " 
she  said  with  a  ripple  of  amused  triumph. 

Mr.  Phelps  stared  and  then  threw  back  his  head  with 
a  hearty  guffaw. 

"What  a  lark!  I  say,  though,  I  was  awfully  down 
when  I  thought  the  doctor  might  have  told  him  some 
things  he  wouldn't  tell  me;  for  Dad  wouldn't  hear  of  it 
when  I  touched  him  for  this  trip  at  first." 

"  Oh,  I  shall  be  well  if  I  can  get  away  from  this  dismal 
hole  in  the  mountains  for  a  while.  It's  so  monotonous! 
Benji,  we'll  go  to  court!  " 

"  Be  jibbers  an'  we  will  thot  same,  if  me  Oirish  cousins 
are  still  kin  to  me !  "  replied  Mr.  Phelps.  "  But,  by  Jove, 
shan't  I  have  a  time  of  it,  going  over  this  season  of  the 
year!  "  he  added  ruefully. 

"  Oh,  the  worst  weather  is  over,  and  we'll  take  a 
fast  liner,  and  Dr.  Pomfret  ought  to  give  you  some 
thing." 

"  Nothing's  any  good  but  champagne,  and  that  isn't," 
groaned  Mr.  Phelps  in  doleful  reminiscence  and  appre 
hension. 

Mrs.  Phelps  arose  deliberately,  and  crossed  the  room  to 
the  window.  She  had  an  excellent  disposition,  which  she 
preserved  by  the  simple  expedient  of  avoiding  strain;  and 
Mr.  Phelps'  maunderings  were  a  trial.  After  a  moment's 
comparative  solitude  he  lounged  after  her,  and  put  both 
hands  around  her,  above  the  heavy  golden  cincture  which 
confined  the  loose  folds  of  her  gown. 

"  Looks  good  to  see  that  old  place  open,  don't  it?  "  he 


CHAPTER  SIX  85 

murmured,  as  the  lights  began  to  gleam  from  the  windows 
of  the  Hurst  house. 

"  Y-e-e-s-s."  Her  assent  was  languid  and  she  turned 
in  his  arms  and  leaned  against  him,  with  an  abandon  that 
stirred  his  pulse. 

"Oh,  you  perfect  thing!  "  he  breathed  as  he  looked 
down  at  the  face  against  his  breast. 

She  rested  so  a  moment  to  content  him,  and  then  raised 
her  head.  She  had  had  a  good  deal  of  his  society  of 
late,  and  to-night  it  palled  on  her  unbearably. 

"  Do  you  suppose  Zillah  Hurst  would  come  over  and 
play  some  of  her  Easter  music  for  me?  "  she  asked  sud 
denly. 

'  Why,  of  course  she  would;  but  don't  you  feel  as  if 
you  could  go  downstairs  and  play  some  yourself?"  said 
Mr.  Phelps,  who  had  little  joy  of  Zillah. 

''  I  want  some  good  music,  dear." 

'  Well,  I  think  your  music's  all  right,"  affirmed  this  in 
fatuated  young  man,  and  Sarah  smiled  indulgently — and 
waited. 

"  Shall  I  go  over  and  ask  Miss  Hurst  to  come?  Don't 
you  want  Miss  Barbara  too?  I  bet  she's  as  jolly  as  a 
sandboy." 

Mrs.  Phelps  gently  released  herself  from  his  arms, 
and  stood  a  moment  over  her  roses,  in  swift  reflec 
tion.  Yes,  she  would  see  if  Zillah  Hurst  would  visit  her! 
She  drew  a  large  bunch  of  the  roses  from  their  jar  and 
handed  them  to  her  husband. 

'  Yes,"  she  said  slowly.  "  Take  these  to  Madam  with 
my  kind  regards,  and  ask  both  girls  to  come  over,  if  they 
will  be  so  good  as  to  humour  an  invalid." 

Mr.  Phelps'  ring  was  inaudible  to  the  occupants  of 
Madam's  parlour  above  the  measured  cadence  of  a  pecu 
liarly  accented  and  stately  piano  accompaniment  Zillah 
was  playing;  and  when  Mam'  Lilly  admitted  him,  he 


86  THE  PANG-YANGER 

stood  unobserved  for  a  moment  in  the  doorway,  looking 
in  upon  a  dainty  and  impromptu  scene  of  gaiety.  At  the 
upper  end  of  the  room  Madam  and  the  doctor  sat  side 
by  side,  and  before  them  in  the  ancient  splendour  of  an 
old  brocade  court  gown  of  Madam's,  too  short,  too  low, 
and  very  much  too  tight  for  her,  Barbara  was  gracefully 
posturing  a  minuet,  with  a  clear-voiced  recitative  to  Zil- 
lah's  music.  A  little  at  one  side  Helen  Hurst  knitted  her 
long  black  stocking  and  looked  on  with  qualified  appro 
bation  :  Barbara's  frivolity  at  least  mitigated  Felicite's 
"  papistry,"  and  Holy  Week  bore  hard  on  the  good 
Methodist. 

Madam  beckoned  the  newcomer  to  her,  and  Barbara 
managed  to  convey  a  greeting  with  her  great  fan  quaintly 
swaying.  The  girl  had  the  pliant  grace  of  a  young  wil 
low,  and  when  the  dance  was  finished,  Mr.  Phelps  sprang 
to  his  feet  with  jovial  enthusiasm. 

"  Brava !  Brava !  "  he  shouted,  and  with  the  gestures 
of  aiming  over  the  heads  of  an  audience,  tossed  Sarah's 
roses  to  her  feet.  On  the  instant's  cue,  Barbara  was  be 
fore  the  footlights,  turning  with  a  professional  affectation 
which  was  in  turn  hilariously  applauded. 

"Encore!  Encore!"  cried  the  doctor,  but  Barbara 
shook  her  head  at  him. 

"  Oh,  don't  stop,  Miss  Barbara,  or  I  shall  think  I've 
spoiled  the  fun.  Really,  you  know,  er — er —  "  protested 
Mr.  Phelps,  but  the  doctor  cut  him  short. 

"  Give  us  one  more  dance,  Barbara,  please!  "  said  he. 

"  Very  well,  then,  I  like  contrasts.  Zillah,  will  you 
play  me  a  cake-walk?"  she  asked. 

"  Why — I  can't,  I  don't  know  any,"  said  Zillah,  who 
had  improvised  for  the  recitative.  Barbara  reached  over 
her  shoulders  and  played  a  few  inspiriting  bars  to  give  her 
the  idea,  and  Zillah,  after  a  tentative  measure  or  so,  struck 
into  a  strangely  spiritualised  syncopation.  "  That's  the 


CHAPTER  SIX  87 

time,"  said  Barbara,  and  went  into  the  hall  in  search  of 
Mam'  Lilly.  They  made  a  professional  stage  entrance 
which  of  itself  reduced  Mr.  Phelps  to  helpless  laughter, 
and  the  doctor  joined  him  before  the  couple  had  advanced 
a  dozen  steps.  The  ladies  were  at  first  appalled  by  the 
grotesque  procession,  and  every  step  grew  more  absurd; 
Barbara  managed  to  transform  herself  into  an  unmis 
takable  darkey;  Mam'  Lilly  had  no  compunctions  what 
ever  in  burlesquing  her  race,  and  before  the  two  had  danced 
into  the  middle  of  the  room,  Madam  and  Zillah  were  dis 
solved  in  tears  of  mirth,  and  even  the  grim  old  Puritan 
dame  went  off  into  an  irresistible  gust  of  laughter. 

"  There!  We've  made  Aunt  Helen  laugh!  Now  I'll 
stop,"  cried  Barbara  in  glee,  and  she  sank  into  a  chair  and 
caught  up  her  fan  and  roses,  as  a  demure  and  proper 
maiden  should. 

"  It's  a  sin!  It  is  a  sin!  But  the  child  draws  one's 
heartstrings !  "  exclaimed  Madam,  touching  her  eyes 
daintily  with  her  handkerchief. 

"  Oh,  Maman,  Lent  is  over!  It's  Easter  Eve,"  Bar 
bara  coaxed. 

'  It's  been  an  awful  Lent.  You  don't  know  how  I've 
enjoyed  this,"  interjected  Mr.  Phelps  to  Barbara,  who 
smiled  with  a  courteous  reserve  so  unlike  the  frank  cor 
diality  of  their  first  meeting  that  Mr.  Phelps  thought  he 
detected  the  stiffening  effect  of  her  short  sojourn  in  the 
precise  Hurst  household. 

His  unexpected  call  was  embarrassing  the  family  greatly. 
Gossip  penetrated  even  their  seclusion,  and  they  severally 
resented  this  abrupt  presentation  of  the  social  problem  for 
their  solution.  They  had  each  a  vague  idea  that,  in  time, 
it  might  be  met  with  less  embarrassment.  The  joke  was 
too  jrood,  however,  when  the  young  man  turned  directly 
to  Zillah,  of  all  people,  with  his  innocent  request.  Bar 
bara's  eyes  ran  over  with  suppressed  amusement  as  she 


88  THE  PANG-YANGER 

glanced  from  Madam  to  Zillah.  They  two  were  looking 
at  each  other  and  did  not  see  her,  but  the  doctor  did.  The 
whole  thing  was  as  good  as  a  play  to  him. 

"Oh,  my  music!  "  Zillah  deprecated,  and  in  her  con 
fusion  the  colour  softly  flushed  her  faded  cheeks,  and  she 
made  an  unconscious  gesture  of  the  hands  she  usually  kept 
severely  inconspicuous;  for  Zillah's  hands  were  the  particu 
lar  trial  of  her  life.  They  were  like  her  Aunt  Helen's, 
large,  bony,  and  ungraceful,  though  so  skilful.  She 
glanced  at  Madam  for  intervention  and  that  dear  lady  did 
not  fail  her. 

"  It  is  triste,  but  the  fete  is  of  a  fatigue,  chere  Zil 
lah !  "  she  murmured  gently,  and  the  entire  family  looked 
that  Zillah  should  escape  by  the  loophole  of  her  pro 
fessional  engagements  the  next  day.  She  was  organist  and 
choir-master  in  a  large  church  at  Kelley's,  and  obliged  to 
take  an  early  train  to  reach  there.  The  excuse  was  per 
fectly  valid,  but  to  her  own,  as  much  as  to  any  one's  sur 
prise,  she  hesitated,  her  conscience  in  acute  opera 
tion.  She  felt  no  obligation  to  formulate  general  theories, 
as  Barbara  was  prone  to  do:  she  dealt  strictly  in  the 
concrete,  and  the  present  was  for  her  a  personal  question 
only. 

"  I  do  not  think  it  will  tire  me  in  the  least,  to  play  a 
little  by-and-by  for  Mrs.  Phelps'  entertainment,  if  she 
wishes  such  a  rendition  of  the  Easter  music  as  I  can  give," 
she  said,  her  chill  hauteur  of  speech  and  manner  accentu 
ated  by  embarrassment. 

"  That's  awfully  good  of  you,  Miss  Hurst.  Won't  you 
waive  formality  and  come  too?"  asked  Mr.  Phelps  to 
Barbara  as  he  rose. 

"  I'm  afraid  not:  I'm  in  hospital  yet,  I  suppose?  "  said 
Barbara,  and  although  she  put  the  question,  she  did  not 
request  leave  by  it.  The  doctor  was  somewhat  surprised 
by  her  evident  decision;  he  thought  Sarah  was  getting  all 


CHAPTER  SIX  89 

she  deserved,  but  he  confirmed  his  prohibition,  since  Bar 
bara  wished  it. 

"  It's  only  across  the  street,  Doc,"  pleaded  Mr.  Phelps, 
but  the  doctor  was  obdurate. 

"  I  shall  be  out  the  first  warm  day,  but  if  I  do  not  meet 
Mrs.  Phelps  before  you  leave,  I  bid  you  both  bon  voyage," 
said  Barbara,  dismissing  importunities  with  serene  com 
posure. 

"  I'm  a  total  wreck  all  the  way  across,"  said  Mr.  Phelps 
tragically,  as  he  bowed  himself  out. 

"  Chere  Zillah,  I  make  you  my  homage,"  murmured 
Madam,  beaming  affectionate  approval  upon  Zillah. 

;'  It's  just  dear  of  you !  "  added  Barbara  enthusiastically. 
Zillah  did  not  raise  her  eyes  from  the  music  she  was  sorting. 

"  How  about  yourself?  "  demanded  the  doctor  abruptly. 

"  It  just  isn't  dear,"  responded  Barbara  serenely. 

"  It  is  well  they  remove  themselves,"  Madam  remarked 
with  unheard-of  severity. 

"  Yes,  poor  Ben !  " 

"  It  is  in  the  hands  of  le  Bon  Dleu!  "  returned  Madam 
piously. 

"  I  suppose,"  said  Barbara,  wide-eyed,  absorbed,  speak 
ing  out  her  thought  in  the  startling  way  she  had.  '  I 
suppose  she  may  be  '  one  of  those  who  have  loved  much.'  ' 

"  Good  Lord!  "  The  doctor  stared  a  moment  at  the 
innocent  speaker,  and  then  threw  back  his  head  and  shouted 
with  laughter.  He  thoroughly  appreciated  the  mental 
process  which  had  led  to  the  remark,  but  no  one  else  did. 
Zillah's  face  expressed  undisguised  disgust,  and  Madam 
was  gently  pained.  There  is  no  telling  what  Mrs.  Hurst 
might  have  done,  if  she  had  not  fortunately  left  the  room 
the  moment  previous. 

"  I've  garbled  the  context,  I  presume,"  said  Barbara, 
looking  around.  "  I  was  only  trying  to  think  what  Zil 
lah's  excuse  for  Mrs.  Phelps  could  be." 


90  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  I  am  not  aware  of  making  any,"  declared  Zillah 
frigidly. 

"  Would  you  regard  a  grande  passion  as  an  extenuating 
circumstance?  "  enquired  the  doctor  soberly,  and  Zillah  was 
thoroughly  shocked  by  this  improper  conversation. 

44  I  might,  for  myself,"  confessed  the  girl  honestly, 
"  only- 

44  Only  what?  "  enquired  the  doctor,  to  whom  Barbara's 
originality  was  a  sheer  joy. 

44  Only  it  would  be  perfectly  ridiculous,  you  know.  To 
care  so  much  for  any  one  who  would  let  you  go — to — 
the- 

''  Devil !  Yes.  It  favours  the  general  theory  that 
your  sex  is  deficient  in  humour,"  drily. 

Zillah  closed  her  music  roll  with  a  vicious  snap. 

"  Well,  I  wish  those  who  go,  would  go,  and  not  stay, 
and  embarrass  their  neighbours,"  she  remarked  resentfully, 
as  she  left  the  room  to  undertake  her  unaccustomed  mis 
sionary  labours.  The  eyes  of  the  doctor  and  Barbara  met 
mirthfully,  but  the  girl's  mobile  face  lapsed  into  thought- 
fulness. 

14  It's  a  pariah  of  a  possession,"  she  murmured  rue 
fully. 

14  Humour?  We  pay  the  price  for  everything  we  have. 
Personally  I'm  satisfied  to  do  so,"  replied  the  doctor. 

14  It's  lonesome,  though,"  objected  Barbara  with  a  pre 
cautionary  glance  toward  Madam;  but  Madam  had,  as 
usual,  lapsed  into  her  devotions.  "  I  do  miss  the  colonel 
so.  He  always  understood,"  she  added  with  wistful  con 
fidence. 

For  a  long  moment  the  silence  was  filled  only  by  the 
ticking  of  the  old  clock  in  the  hall.  Then— 

44  So  do  I,"  said  the  doctor  with  marked  deliberation, 
and  Barbara  looked  up  suddenly  and  beamed  on  him. 

14  I  always  feel  you  do.      It  is  such  a  comfort!     You 


CHAPTER  SIX  91 

seem  more  like  my  grandfather  every  day,  sir,"  she  said, 
with  an  expression  of  bland  and  childlike  confidence,  which 
somehow  abruptly  reminded  the  doctor  that  there  were 
other  calls  on  his  list  besides  the  Hursts'.  Madam  mur 
mured  "  Bonsoir  "  without  missing  a  bead,  and  Barbara 
slowly  sauntered  to  the  parlour  doors,  and  watched  him 
struggle  into  his  greatcoat  in  the  hall.  She  proffered  him 
a  rose  from  where  she  stood  in  the  doorway — one  of 
Benji  Phelps'  roses, — at  the  end  of  a  very  long  stem.  He 
curtly  declined  the  gift. 

'  You've  got  vigilant  chaperons,"  he  observed  sarcastic 
ally,  glancing  at  Mam'  Lilly,  asleep  at  the  foot  of  the 
stairs.  Barbara's  pretty  brows  went  up.  She  was  ex 
actly  the  height  of  the  doctor,  but  she  managed  an  effect 
of  looking  up  at  him,  which  was  particularly  captivating  to 
a  short  man. 

"Chaperons?"  she  remarked.  "Oh,  I  do  not  need 
them.  I've  the  ever-present  saving  grace  of  humour,  you 
know."  Her  eyes  danced. 

The  old  gentleman  regarded  her  from  beneath  his  grey 
bent  brows,  as  he  drew  on  his  gloves.  '  Don't  presume 
on  your  immunity,  girl,"  he  cautioned,  and  went  out  into 
the  gathering  gloom. 

Barbara  immediately  fell  upon  Mam'  Lilly. 

"  Get  me  out  of  this  gown,  quick,"  she  gasped.  '  I 
want  to  laugh,  and  it's  too  tight!  " 

Dr.  Pomfret  found  the  familiar  Bronk  slumbering  at 
his  gatepost  and  Abijah  in  an  attitude  of  long-suffering 
patience,  smoking  before  the  office  grate.  His  hat  and 
coat  were  on  the  floor  beside  him.  He  was  evidently 
in  his  most  irresponsible  mood,  and  after  a  greeting  of 
familiar  brevity  lapsed  into  silence,  while  the  doctor  got 
into  his  lounging  coat  and  slippers,  and  lighted  his  pipe. 

An  unwonted  impulse  of  domesticity  had  moved  Abi 
jah  that  evening  to  descend  from  his  mountain  and  call 


92  THE  PANG-YANGER 

upon  his  mother  for  the  first  time  since  his  son's  arrival. 
The  presence  of  the  child  already  bound  the  father  to  the 
rites  of  home  and  common  customs  of  the  earth,  and  his 
mood  had  been  conciliatory.  Unfortunately  Mrs.  Bead's 
was  not.  Consistent  with  herself,  she  utterly  repudiated 
the  irregular  relations  thrust  upon  her,  and  more,  de 
manded  their  obliteration.  Abijah  listened  in  filial  silence, 
but  his  attitude  was  uncompromising.  He  was  hurt  as 
well  as  angry;  the  fibres  of  the  man's  heart  were  thrilling 
to  the  touch  of  childish  fingers. 

"  All  right,  mother,"  he  said  grimly,  when  Mrs.  Bead 
finished  in  tears.  "  Don't  strain  a  point  of  etiquette  for 
us,  but  if  you  don't  recognise  my  son,  don't  recognise  me. 
If  you  see  this  thing  differently  after  a  while,  we'll  be 
glad  to  see  you  up  at  the  farm !  "  Then  he  went  away — 
and  sat  by  the  doctor's  fire,  and  waited  for  his  friend. 

"Long  drive?"  he  enquired  carelessly  as  the  doctor 
stretched  himself  in  his  easy-chair,  feet  to  the  blaze. 

"  Long!  "  The  accent  was  indicative  of  leagues,  and 
Abijah's  smile  was  enigmatic. 

"  I've  been  waiting  a  couple  of  hours  for  you,"  he  re 
marked,  and  the  doctor  deplored  the  exigencies  of  a  pro 
fessional  life  by  an  eloquent  gesture,  as  he  lighted  his  pipe. 
They  smoked  in  companionable  silence  for  a  while,  and 
Abijah  still  wore  his  inscrutable  half-smile. 

"  I'm  glad  you  waited,"  began  the  doctor  slowly. 
14  I've  wanted  a  chance  to  talk  with  you—  Abijah 

looked  about  as  encouraging  as  a  griffin,  and  the  doctor 
hesitated.  Suddenly  the  young  man's  expression  changed 
and  there  was  a  warm  sympathy  in  his  voice,  which  should 
have  roused  suspicion  of  him.  But  the  doctor  was  pre 
occupied. 

"  I  thought  you  might."  Abijah's  tone  was  friendly 
and  encouraging.  "  With  all  this  talk.  Of  course 
Hurstville  isn't  morbidly  curious,  but  it's  got  a  healthy  in- 


CHAPTER  SIX  93 

terest  in  itself,  and  when  the  high  monky-monks  get  into 
a  mix-up,  it's  nuts!  Go  ahead,  Doc.  It's  a  delicate  per 
sonal  matter,  and  I  didn't  want  to  chip  in  first.  I  thought 
you  had  the  horse-sense  to  see  for  yourself,  after  a  while, 
that  you're  making  the  mistake  of  your  life." 

"  I've  always  had  confidence  in  you."  The  doctor 
spoke  with  feeling.  He  did  not  see  the  expression  of  Abi- 
jah's  face. 

'  Well,  I'm  giving  it  to  you  straight;  you're  letting  the 
woman  make  a  fool  of  you,"  Abijah  said  emphatically. 

'  You're  wrong  there,  'Bijah.  I'm  simply  her  physi 
cian,"  said  the  doctor  gravely. 

"Bosh!  Of  course  I've  nothing  to  say  against  her, 
except  that  she  is  a  woman.  Now," — he  broke  off  sud 
denly, — "  that  objection  would  scarcely  have  applied  if  it 
had  been  Zillah  Hurst." 

'  What  the  devil  has  Zillah  Hurst  got  to  do  with  the 
case?"  snapped  the  doctor,>who  perceived  he  had  been 
hoaxed  again. 

"  Oh,  nothing — nothing  whatever !  I  always  had  a  sort 
of  fellow-feeling  for  that  estimable  person,  but  of  course 
every  one  knows  you  wouldn't  fall  in  love  with  her.  She 
wouldn't  permit  such  a  liberty." 

'  You'd  better  stick  to  your  own  affairs." 

Abijah  smiled  broadly,  ecstatically. 
'  I  was  afraid  you'd  feel  that  way  about  it  when  it 
got  simmered  down,"  he  said  reproachfully,  "  but  I 
couldn't  get  the  consent  of  my  mind  to  go  back  to  my 
happy  home  and  leave  you  to  your  fate  without  a  word. 
When  I  hit  the  trail  a  couple  of  hours  ago  (by  the  way, 
mother's  cut  me  off  with  a  shilling),  I  was  all  broke  up — 
I  was  for  a  fact,  Doc, — to  round  up  your  outfit  at  the 
Hurst  ranch." 

The  doctor  did  not  condescend  to  make  any  remark; 
his  expression  was  strictly  and  warily  professional. 


94  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  That's  just  what  I  said  to  myself,  after  I'd  waited 
about  an  hour  or  so,  and  thought  it  over;  '  What  of  it?  ' 
said  I.  '  He  was  visiting  the  widows  and  orphans;  and 
by  this  time  he's  off  in  the  country  soothing  the  sick  and 
afflicted  some  more,  while  I'm  waiting  here  like  a  damn 
fool.'  So  I  started  for  home." 

"  Why  didn't  you  get  there?  " 

"  Because  I  was  anxious,  Doc,"  responded  Abijah  ear 
nestly,  "  and  you  can  thank  me  if  you  have  a  well  horse  to 
morrow,  if  you  don't  thank  me  for  anything  else.  That 
cayuse  of  yours  was  trying  to  keep  step  with  the  high 
jinks  inside,  and  he'd  worried  his  blanket  under  his  feet, 
and  exposed  himself  to  the  rigours  of  this  inclement 
climate,  as  Ten  Eyke  says;  I  unlimbered  and  did  what  I 
could  to  soothe  him,  and  make  him  comfortable.  Two 
hours  is  too  long  to  let  a  horse  stand  like  that  in  the  cold !  " 
Abijah  dodged  the  bootjack  as  it  whizzed  past  his  head, 
and  swept  on  with  an  appearance  of  deep  and  unselfish  con 
cern.  "  You're  sure  locoed,  Doc,"  he  said  sadly.  "  I  hate 
to  think  these  peaceful,  happy  times  of  ours  will  soon  be  a 
thing  of  the  past.  Good  Lord,  man,  how  you'd  rave  if  it 
were  some  other  old  duffer  sacrificing  a  virgin!  Sis  and 
'  Brink  '  are  a  sweet  spectacle,  aren't  they?  " 

'  You  better  go  home,  if  you  can't  talk  sense.  Miss 
Hurst  is— 

"Infatuated  old  man — spare  me!  I  can  imagine,  but 
I  can't  stand  the  details.  I've  done  my  duty.  I  don't 
expect  thanks — yet.  My  feelings  overcome  me  !  Doc,  I 
shan't  be  able  to  come  here  afterwards,  but  my  house  is 
open  to  you  as  a  refuge,  whenever  your  soul  needs — 
peace !  " 

"You  infernal  idiot!" 

"  Try  and  look  at  this  thing  calmly,"  pleaded  Abijah. 
"  Why,  you  know  that  though  you  may  gentle  a  filly  to 
stand  and  be  hitched,  when  it  comes  to  pulling  double, 


CHAPTER  SIX  95 

the  old  horse  has  got  all  the  load.  She'll  get  hot  in  the 
collar,  and  kick  over  the  traces,  and  tangle  up  the  outfit, 
and  try  to  get  away;  and  it  won't  be  because  she's  vi 
cious," — Abijah  warmed  to  his  theme,—  "  it's  because 
she's  unequally  yoked  with  a  bally  old  saw-horse,  when 
she  naturally  wants  to  kick  up  her  heels  with  the  best  of 
the  other  three-year-olds." 

"  Seems  to  me  you're  working  your  imagination  over 
time,  'Bijah,  when  there's  lots  of  interesting  facts  waiting 
explanation.  For  instance,  do  you  think  it's  a  creditable 
thing  to  crow  over  a  man  of  Ben  Phelps'  calibre?  " 

'  You  are  too  modest:  /  never  classed  you  with  him!  " 
protested  Abijah. 

"  Oh,  go  to  hell !  "  ejaculated  the  doctor,  and  there  was 
silence.  It  was  broken  by  Abijah,  and  he  spoke  seriously. 

'  I  suppose  I  do  look  like  a  hound,  bringing  the  boy 
here,"  he  admitted  slowly. 

"  Of  course  no  one  can  help  being  sorry  for  the  woman 
who  trusted  you,"  the  doctor  retorted  sharply. 

'  There  may  be  more  to  this  than  meets  the  eye.' ' 

'  There's  enough  obvious  to  stir  up  the  town." 

''  I  can't  give  you  the  circumstances  for  publication,  as 
you'll  see,  but "  began  Abijah. 

''  Better  keep  your  own  counsel,  then.  She  does!  "  the 
doctor  growled,  but  the  compulsion  of  speech  was  on 
Abijah. 

"  I'm  merely  human,  and  I  may  burst,"  he  said  whim 
sically. 

"  Well,  then,"  said  the  doctor  impatiently,  "  tell  me 
why  under  heaven  you  didn't  marry  the  girl!  She's  the 
loveliest  thing  from  crown  to  toe— 

Abijah's  rigid  face  stopped  him.  His  eyes  were  brood 
ing,  and  lines  of  pain  dug  into  his  face.  The  doctor's 
heart  yearned  to  the  lonely  man,  fighting  with  sorrow. 

"  Are  you  sure  he's — yours?  "  he  suggested  gravely. 


96  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Strawberry  mark  on  his  left  shoulder  blade,  and  six 
toes  on  his  right  hind  foot.  Regular  thing,  isn't  it?  " 
Abijah  jeered.  "  Think  I  can't  swear  to  my  own  brand, 
eh?  Well,  wait  till  he  sheds  his  first  coat,  and  you'll  see* 
it  stamped  all  over  the  hide  of  him.  Besides,  she  isn't  that 
kind." 

"  She  never  seemed  to  be.  Why  didn't  you  marry  her, 
'Bijah?" 

Abijah  deliberated. 

"  I  did,"  he  said  slowly. 

'The  devil  you  say!  Who  got  the  divorce?"  The 
sharp  judicial  tone  stirred  Abijah's  habitual  resentment 
of  misconstruction. 

"  No  one.  She's  my  wife  wow,"  he  said,  and  met  the 
doctor's  involuntary  exclamation  of  incredulity  with 
dogged  defiance.  "  Oh,  I  can't  prove  it,"  he  sneered, 
his  morbid  sensibilities  alert,  but  the  doctor  knew  his 
man. 

"How's  that?  Records  lost  or  destroyed?"  he  en 
quired  quietly,  and  Abijah  relaxed. 

"  Neither.  The  minister  died  before  he  could  register 
the  iniquitous  deed,  and  the  only  witness,  his  hired  girl, 
has  apparently  vanished  from  the  face  of  the  earth.  At 
least  I  can't  find  her,  and  I've  spent  some  money  hunting 
the  critter." 

"Hidden  away?" 

"  Doubtful!  The  Sillimans  hadn't  the  money,  and  be 
side,  I  don't  believe  they  know  about  the  marriage.  No, 
it  was  just  a  '  fortuitous  conjunction  of  circumstances,' 
and  it  was  too  much  of  a  temptation  for  Sally;  especially 
as  Benji  Phelps  appeared  on  the  scene  at  the  psycho 
logical  moment.  In  point  of  fact,  he  came  the  moment 
previous.  He  could  be  depended  on  to  blunder  somehow, 
even  in  a  critical  thing  like  that." 

"Poor  Ben!" 


CHAPTER  SIX  97 

"  Yes,  I've  been  sorry  for  the  poor  brute  myself.  You 
remember  Sally  and  her  mother  went  to  New  York  soon 
after  he  came  from  England." 

"  Yes.     Then  her  mother  knew " 

"  Not  about  the  marriage,  I  think.  Sally  was  ashamed 
to  have  married  a  pauper.  She  didn't — till  she  had  to, 
and  then  I  wouldn't  tell  her  I  had  any  money  until  she  got 
ready  to  acknowledge  me  without.  I  followed  them  to 
New  York  and  Brooklyn.  Brooklyn  is  laid  out  on  the  gen 
eral  ground  plan  of  a  labyrinth,  you  know,  and  I  had  to 
have  the  police  follow  every  white  horse  in  the  town  clear 
through  it,  before  they  found  the  maternity  place.  It  was 
an  awful  place !  I  cut  out  the  kid  from  the  bunch  of  two 
weeks  old,  after  she  left  him.  The  nurse  said  I  picked  the 
right  one,  and  there  wasn't  any  chance  of  a  mistake;  the 
rest  were  all  half-breeds,  or  off  colour  some  way.  It  was 
a  hell  of  a  place;  and  she  left  him  there!  " 

''We  must  have  all  been  purblind!  Why,  /  never 
suspected  anything  wrong !  "  mused  the  doctor  in  bewilder 
ment. 

'  There  won't  be  any  women  in  hell.  They'll  hood 
wink  the  devil  somehow.  I  never  dreamed  of  my  wife's 
little  scheme,  even  when  I  saw  her  engagement  to  Ben 
announced  in  the  paper.  I  had  gone  out  west  again,  and 
I  thought  it  was  a  dodge  to  get  me  back :  until  the  marriage 
was  announced  too.  Then  I  came  back  and  went  for  the 
records.  There  weren't  any.  It  sounds  like  a  fairy  story, 
but  it's  a  fact.  I  haven't  a  shred  of  evidence  to  back  my 
word.  Sally  of  course  froze  to  the  certificate-thing  the 
dominie  gave  us,  and  I  thought  that  was  proper :  the  usual 
arrangement.  I  never  felt  so  respectable  in  my  life!  It 
never  occurred  to  me  that  I'd  ever  need  a  duplicate.  I 
was  too  tickled  to  think  she  had  finally  married  me." 

"What  did  she  say?" 

"  Say!  do  you  suppose  I  interviewed  her?  I  have  never 


98  THE  PANG-YANGER 

spoken  to  her  since  I  knew  why  she  was  going  to  New 
York." 

"  Then  she  didn't  know  you  had  the  boy?  " 

"  I  don't  know:  probably  not.  She  thought  I'd  gone 
west  again,  and  she  wouldn't  be  apt  to  make  enquiries 
about  the  child  she  deserted,  would  she?  " 

"  And  you  never  got  a  divorce?  " 

"  What  in  hell  do  I  want  of  a  divorce?  Think  I  want 
to  try  another  matrimonial  venture?  Not  on  your  life! 
I'd  have  enjoyed  having  a  wife  and  home  as  well  as  the 
next  man  at  one  time;  but  I've  got  over  the  hankering. 
Besides,  I  can't  get  a  divorce  even  under  the  Arizona  omni 
bus  bill;  that  will  give  you  one  on  any  pretext  you  can 
imagine,  but  you  can't  annul  a  contract  until  you  prove 
there  is  one,  can  you?  " 

"  Don't  you  suppose  Sally  has  gotten  one?  " 

"  No,  I've  had  the  records  searched." 

"Good  Lord!  how  did  the  girl  ever  dare  to  do  it? 
Why,  'Bijah,  she  was  a  good  girl!  I'd  dare  swear  Sallv 
Silliman  was  as  good  a  girl  as  ever  lived  in  Hurstville," 
said  the  doctor  sadly,  and  Abijah's  shrug  of  sardonic  ac 
quiescence  infuriated  the  choleric  old  man. 

"  That's  a  pretty  insinuation  for  a  man  with  a  mother 
and  sister,"  he  said  furiously. 

"  My  sister  was  brought  up  to  sell  herself  to  the  high 
est  bidder,  and  did  it.  That's  the  morality  of  good 
women.  Perhaps  you  can  draw  the  line  between  that  and 
what  Sally  has  done !  I  can't.  Talk  about  women  being 
better  than  men!  If  they  had  our  passions  they'd  be 
worse !  As  it  is,  I  don't  believe  there's  one  on  earth  who 
considers  her  soul  and  body  anything  but  assets  to  her  am 
bition.  I  despise  the  whole  sex." 

"  You  must  feel  good  inside,"  said  the  doctor. 

"  I  don't;  insides  being  your  specialty,  you  might  pre 
scribe." 


CHAPTER  SIX  99 

"  I'd  like  to  give  you  something  drastic.  Do  you  know 
you  nearly  killed  the  woman,  bringing  the  boy  here?  " 

"  I  should  have  regretted  that:  it  wouldn't  have  half 
satisfied  me,"  retorted  Abijah,  and  the  malignancy  of  his 
voice  was  horrible.  The  doctor  looked  at  him  anxiously. 

"  Drop  it!  Life's  revenge  will  satisfy  any  sane  man," 
he  said  earnestly.  Abijah  laughed  jeeringly. 

'  Then  all  the  world's  insane,  for  it  isn't  satisfied. 
Eternity  has  been  imagined  for  the  express  purpose  of 
giving  compensation  anything  like  a  fair  working  chance, 
and  personally,  I  don't  expect  it  there.  I  don't  believe 
there  is  any  general  scheme  of  things.  They  just  happen." 

"  I  can't  much  wonder.  But  you  aren't  taking  a  healthy 
view  of  the  situation,  'Bijah;  you  shouldn't  force  the  boy 
into  it." 

'  We've  got  a  right  on  top  of  the  earth,  I  suppose,  and 
I  happen  to  like  this  particular  spot  of  it." 

"  He  may  not  inherit  your  warrious." 

"  Oh,  he  won't  need  to,"  sneered  Abijah.  "  He'll 
have  money,  enough  to  make  him  welcome  anywhere." 

As  Abijah  had  never  been  any  more  communicative 
about  financial  than  personal  affairs,  the  doctor's  expres 
sion  indicated  the  surprise  this  revelation  caused. 

"  Of  course  I  knew  you  were  doing  well,  but " 

"  But — and  of  course — no  one  ever  expected  Abijah 
Bead  would  ever  be  able  to  buy  up  the  whole  Phelps  tribe, 
root  and  branch.  Joke,  isn't  it?  "  Abijah's  expression 
was  anything  but  jovial.  The  doctor  turned  on  him  hotly. 

"  And  why  should  any  one  expect  it,  you  blithering 
idiot?  "  he  shouted.  "  You  carefully  disguise  all  symptoms 
of  ability,  and  then  snarl  because  we're  not  mind-readers ! 
There  isn't  any  measure  for  latent  capabilities  in  this  world, 
my  son.  Success  is  the  quantivalent  of  the  dynamic  force 
of  a  man.  What  doesn't  show  doesn't  count — here." 

"  Keep  your  shirt  on,  Doc!     What  you  jawing  about? 


ioo  THE  PANG-YANGER 

There  isn't  such  a  thing  as  a  latent  capability  con 
cealed  about  my  whole  worthless  carcass.  Don't  blame 
that  on  me.  I  told  you  I  was  the  victim  of  luck,  and 
nothing  proves  it  better  than  the  fact  that  I've  made 
money." 

"As  how?"  enquired  his  curious  friend. 

"  Why,  the  providence  that  watches  over  children  and 
fools  doesn't  extend  to  'change,  and  whenever  I  take  a  lit 
tle  flyer,  I  bull  the  market:  now,  as  I  don't  know  a  thing 
about  finance  or  speculation,  that  can't  be  anything  but 
luck,  can  it?  Then — I  took  hold  of  a  little  bankrupt  rail 
road  once.  It  started  from  nowhere  and  had  a  similar 
terminal,  and  I  didn't  know  but  I'd  have  to  go  as 
engineer  on  the  darn  thing,  to  get  my  money  back,  till 
some  fool  prospector  found  silver  near  the  hinder  end  of 
the  route,  and  then  I  was  all  hunky :  thanks  to  luck  again. 
Naturally  things  boom  thereabouts,  and  there's  a  town; 
and  of  course,  you  own  most  of  the  realty;  and  pretty  soon 
you  realise  on  that  spec.  Then  you  get  out  before  the 
vein  peters  out,  and— 

The  doctor  struck  his  chair-arm  with  his  fist. 

"  And  you  call  that  luck,  I  suppose?  "  he  snorted. 

"  I  don't  call  it  anything  else,"  retorted  Abijah  indig 
nantly.  "  That  damned  old  silver  vein  might  have  run 
to  Tophet  for  all  I  knew  about  mines,  but  I'd  a  right  to 
infer  it  had  a  bottom  somewhere,  though  most  men  don't 
until  they  strike  it.  That  appears  to  be  almost  always  an 
unpleasant  experience,  so  I  leave  a  margin  for  casualties." 

"  And  you  call  that  luck  also?  " 

"  Certainly;  I  shouldn't  have  cut  it  so  close  if  I  had  any 
sense  about  it.  It  was  a  close  shave  for  me,  and  the 
other  fellow  didn't  make  money.  The  only  business  I 
know  anything  about  is  stock,  cattle,  I  mean,  and  I 
couldn't  afford  to  carry  on  that,  if  luck  didn't  make  up  the 
deficit  somewhere  else." 


CHAPTER  SIX  101 

Abijah  was  rather  more  than  half  sincere  in  discounting 
his  brain  as  a  factor  of  success.  He  had  experienced  from 
his  youth  a  thoroughly  chastened  self-conceit  which,  while 
it  may  have  some  salutary  effects,  certainly  destroys  the 
zest  of  living.  Knowing  the  petty  harassments  which  had 
ingrained  this  morbid  self-distrust  in  the  boy,  the  doctor's 
pity  equalled  his  impatience  with  the  puerile  attitude  of 
the  man,  but  experience  had  shown  the  utter  futility  of 
friendly  attempts  to  arouse  a  wholesome  self-conceit. 

''  Why  don't  you  let  any  one  know  of  your  success?  " 
he  enquired. 

"  Because  a  couple  of  millions  would  make  a  difference 
to  most  people." 

;'  Is  that  why  you  have  never  told  me  before?  " 

;'  No.  That  was  because  a  couple  of  millions  wouldn't 
make  any  difference  to  you,"  Abijah  replied  doggedly. 

;'  Is  it  as  much  as  that?  " 

;'  It  was  a  couple  of  years  ago  when  I  made  a  will  for  the 
boy,  and  I  guess  it  hasn't  depreciated  any  yet,"  Abijah 
admitted  reluctantly.  This  freak  of  confidence  was  un 
usual  to  him,  but  an  irresistible  need  of  sympathy  and 
understanding  had  swept  away  the  barriers  of  his  habitual 
reserve. 

"  That's  a  lot  of  money,  here!  But  it  don't  help  you 
out  of  your  troubles,  does  it?  You  can't  do  a  thing  unless 
you  find  that  woman?  " 

"  Do  anything!  Aileen  Mahan,  you  mean,  I  suppose? 
I  don't  know  as  I  would  do  anything  if  I  could.  I  cer 
tainly  want  no  legal  interference.  A  man  ought  to  be  able 
to  settle  his  domestic  concerns  himself;  I  don't  object  to 
being  Sally's  husband,"  and  here  a  gust  of  sudden  passion 
swept  furiously  over  him,  his  voice  grew  tense,  and  he 
clenched  his  big  hands  fiercely;  "  but  sometimes — I'd  give 
millions  to  make  her  realise  it!  "  he  said  in  his  teeth. 

The  unexpected  outburst  betrayed  the  tension  he  was 


102  THE  PANG-YANGER 

under,  but  before  the  doctor  could  frame  a  word  of  sym 
pathy  he  turned  savagely  upon  him. 

"  Where  are  all  the  moral  reflections  you  were  charged 
with  when  you  came  in,  a  little  while  ago?  "  he  sneered, 
sullen  with  the  sense  of  useless' self-revealings,  and  champ 
ing  on  the  bitter  herbs  of  life  with  a  morbid  satisfaction  in 
extracting  their  full  flavour.  '  You'd  better  trot  'em  out 
right  here.  Here's  the  place  to  tack  a  moral  to  the  tale." 

"  I  haven't  discovered  yet  that  life  has  any  moral," 
replied  the  doctor,  inexpressible  sympathy  in  face  and 
voice. 

"Oh,  well,  damn!  "  said  Abijah  comprehensively,  and 
he  heaved  himself  up  from  his  chair  impatiently,  and  stood 
in  all  his  big  negligence,  cynical,  savage,  whimsical,  and 
pathetic,  before  the  little  doctor;  "  I  didn't  come  here  to 
sit  up  with  you,  and  sob  on  your  shoulder,  Doc,"  he  ob 
served  in  a  shamefaced  way,  "  but  I  wanted  some  one 
to  understand  about  the  boy,  in  case  I  should  accidentally 
shuffle  off."  He  knocked  the  ashes  out  of  his  pipe  as  he 
spoke,  and  reached  for  his  coat  and  hat. 

"  All  right,  I  understand,"  the  doctor  acquiesced,  and 
Abijah  knew  he  tacitly  accepted  a  trust:  "Ben  said  to 
night  they  were  going  to  England;  for  a  long  trip,  I 
imagine." 

Abijah  settled  his  sombrero  at  a  comfortable  and  becom 
ing  angle,  and  jammed  his  hands  deep  down  into  the 
pockets  of  his  riding  coat. 

4  They'd  better  stay"  he  remarked,  in  the  casual  tone 
of  an  entirely  disinterested  person. 

"  Do  you  expect  he  will  allow  you  to  settle  your  domestic 
concerns — er — extra — legal?  "  enquired  the  doctor  signifi 
cantly. 

Abijah  was  ready  to  depart,  but  he  paused  and  looked 
down  at  his  interlocutor  with  his  pseudo-serious  expres 
sion. 


CHAPTER  SIX  103 

'  If  he  comes  back  looking  for  trouble,  I'll  just  take 
little  Benji  apart,  and  reason  with  him  by  sections.  A  man 
of  his  calibre  shouldn't  try  to  grapple  with  the  intricate 
problems  of  life.  And  he  can't  prove  anything  by  me! 
Good-night,  Doc." 

The  doctor  rose  up  wearily,  when  he  was  left  alone. 
It  was  midnight,  and  he  was  very  tired,  and  as  Abijah's 
vigorous  footsteps  died  away,  he  reflected  that  the  only 
wholly  tragic  situation  in  this  world  is,  after  all,  old  age. 

Abijah  came  back  from  the  street,  upon  a  sudden 
thought,  and  thrust  his  head  in  at  the  door  again. 

"  Say,  Doc,"  he  called,  and  in  response  the  doctor  ap 
peared  at  an  inner  doorway,  in  his  shirt-sleeves,  struggling 
apoplectically  with  his  collar. 

'  Well,"  he  demanded  on  the  verge  of  strangulation, 
as  he  gave  a  final  wrench  at  the  refractory  button. 

'  I  don't  want  to  leave  you  with  the  impression  that  I 
wasn't  in  dead  earnest  about  your  trying  to  gentle  that 
little  filly.  You'll  certainly— 

But  the  doctor  made  a  surprisingly  agile  and  pugilistic 
spring  towards  the  speaker,  the  loosened  ends  of  his  col 
lar  flapping  wildly  about  his  ears,  and  Abijah's  head  was 
promptly  withdrawn,  and  he  slammed  the  door,  chuckling. 

'  The  merest  reference  to  that  rejuvenates  the  old  boy," 
he  thought,  as  he  mounted  the  Bronk,  and  loped  off  toward 
the  mountain.  "  I  wonder  if  he  will  make  such  a  dodder 
ing  fool  of  himself?  " 


VII 

IT  was  a  late  spring.  Patches  of  grimy  snow  lingered 
for  weeks  upon  the  mountains,  while  the  streams 
shouted  in  vain  for  the  general  vernal  rally.  It 
seemed  as  though  the  earth  had  stuck  at  this  most  inop 
portune  point  in  its  revolution,  and  it  was  the  last  of 
April  before  there  appeared  any  prospects  of  getting  be 
yond  the  equinox.  Then  a  few  warm  days,  balmy  as 
June,  and  the  northern  spring  rushed  into  the  mountains. 
The  breath  of  life,  mysterious,  irresistible,  quickened  the 
earth,  sun-warmed  and  brooding,  and  the  insistent  smell 
of  the  germinant  soil  mingled  with  the  fainter  odour  of 
the  budding  foliage.  An  evanescent  mist  of  delicate 
colours  spread  over  the  brown  landscape;  all  the  sodden 
fields  took  on  the  tender  greenness  of  young  grass,  and 
winter  grain,  and  in  low  sunny  places,  and  on  the  warm 
side  of  knoll  or  fence,  frail  scentless  wild  flowers  broidered 
a  faint  tracery  of  colours  around  the  barren  greyness  of 
the  rocks. 

The  streams  were  jubilant;  all  the  night  they  called, 
and  clapped  their  hands  across  the  narrow  vale,  and  in  the 
morning,  dashing  on  obstructions,  foamed  over  rocks  and 
bent  the  green  flags  under  their  swift  current:  and  over  all 
the  glad  sunshiny  world,  far,  far  up  in  the  pale  blue  sky, 
thin  white  clouds  floated  on  the  vernal  air,  which  embraced 
the  willing  earth,  with  the  mystery  and  the  magic  of 
spring. 

Spring  in  the  North  is  a  season  of  dangerous  blandish 
ments  to  which  its  people  dare  not  yield;  they  stick  to  fires 

104 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  105 

and  flannels.  In  the  South  they  trust  their  seasons,  and 
blithely  ignore  a  little  general  chilliness  so  that  the  sun 
shines,  and  the  good  smell  of  the  earth  is  in  the  air.  A 
restlessness  and  longing  for  this  habit  of  semi-outdoor 
life  set  Barbara  haunting  sheltered  corners  of  the 
piazza,  as  spring  coyly  advanced;  but  the  horrified  protests 
of  the  family  obliged  her  to  withdraw  her  chair  from  a 
sunny  southern  nook  where  she  had  ensconced  herself  to 
watch  the  struggling  daffodils. 

She  was  awakened  one  delicious  morning  by  the  clear, 
high  joyous  choral  of  the  birds  outside  her  open  windows. 
The  long  curtains  sailed  in  on  the  breeze,  and  she  opened 
her  arms  and  let  the  soft  wind  break  in  lovely  waves  upon 
her  warm  young  body.  An  unutterable  tenderness  and 
longing  evoked  the  feel  of  tears  and  smiles  as  the  caress 
embraced  her:  there  was  a  calling;  an  insistent  influence 
moved  her,  and  she  yielded  wholly,  gladly,  to  the  com 
pelling  power  which  drew  her  out  into  the  heart  of  spring. 

Now  Abijah  Bead  was  moved  by  no  less  subtile  and 
resistless  influences  when  he  awakened  at  dawn  of  the 
same  day,  but  as  he  had  experienced  these  sensations  a 
good  many  times,  he  had  lost  the  essence  and  experienced 
only  the  coarser  combination  of  effects.  He  thought  it 
was  a  fine  day,  and  that  he  had  slept  all  it  beseemed  the 
head  of  a  well-organised  farm  to  slumber,  so  he  got 
up  without  any  gentle  ceremony  of  invocation,  and,  loosely 
habited  in  his  usual  costume  of  top-boots,  riding-breeks, 
and  wide-necked  negligee  shirt,  strode  forth  into  the  open 
and  enjoyed  the  keen  sweetness  of  the  upland  air  sub 
consciously,  while  inspecting  his  stockyard  with  practical 
interest. 

He  turned  from  a  survey  of  his  own  property  to  the 
observation  of  things  in  general,  and  leaning  on  the 
bars  of  the  pasture,  looked  down  upon  the  town.  In  the 
morning's  quiet  the  movement  of  a  curious  cavalcade,  is- 


106  THE  PANG-YANGER 

suing  from  the  gate  of  the  Hurst  place,  immediately  at 
tracted  his  attention,  and  he  laughed  with  consuming 
amusement  as  he  perceived  that  Barbara  had  mounted  her 
self  and  Mam'  Lilly  on  Madam's  sedate  carriage  horses! 
The  girl  had  the  seat  of  an  expert  equestrienne,  and  kept 
turning  and  gesticulating  her  companion,  who  had  some 
what  less  success  in  getting  under  way.  Abijah  watched 
them  with  a  lively  interest  as  they  came  toward  the  moun 
tain  and  turned  into  a  sequestered  road  leading  along  its 
base,  and  then,  a  frolic  impulse  seized  him.  He  leaped 
the  bars,  gave  a  low  peculiar  whistle  which  brought  the 
Bronk  racing  to  him,  mounted  without  bridle,  spur,  or  sad 
dle,  and  was  off  in  breakneck  pursuit.  Over  fence  and 
ditch  they  rushed,  crashing  through  obstructions  in  the 
forest,  straight  down  the  mountain,  and  over  the  stone 
wall  into  the  road,  landing  somewhere  between  Barbara 
and  Mam'  Lilly,  who  was  outdistanced.  The  heart  of 
him  was  merry  as  a  satyr  with  the  fluting  of  old  Pan 
among  the  hills:  he  had  chased  coyotes  on  the  plain  in 
the  same  exuberance  of  spirit  with  which  he  now  pranced 
down  the  forest-road.  Barbara  heard  the  sudden  thun 
der  of  hoofs  behind  her,  and  glanced  back,  a  sparkling 
face  with  the  wind-blown  tresses  of  a  wood-nymph,  as 
she  fled  on  into  the  morning.  Some  vernal  memory 
of  his  own  waked  in  her  staid  old  horse,  and  as 
he  warmed  to  her  requirements,  he  took  the  bit  in 
his  teeth,  and  was  forging  ahead  at  a  galvanic 
canter,  enjoying  the  spirit  of  the  freakish  race  as  much 
as  any  one.  Barbara  was  embarrassed  by  her  comic 
mount,  and  summoned  dignity,  as  Abijah  should  overtake 
and  pass  her:  but  to  her  surprise,  at  a  stride  behind  he 
slackened  his  headlong  pace  to  hers,  and  head  to  haunch, 
the  two  horses  cantered  for  a  rapid  mile  or  two.  The  road 
led  through  the  "  Green  Vlei,"  a  stretch  of  swamp  land 
where  the  light  absorbed  a  greenish  tint  from  the  rank 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  107 

vegetation:  a  dryad  laughed  behind  each  tree-trunk,  and 
the  shrill  pipes  of  rural  deities  echoed  in  the  wind  which 
boomed  softly  in  the  treetops,  and  swept  their  faces  with 
the  keener  breath  of  flight.  They  rode  through  billows 
of  it,  rejoicing  in  the  jocund  life  of  elemental  being.  Bar 
bara  lost  the  strangeness  of  her  peculiar  tendance  as  the 
solitudes  took  them  in,  but  the  magic  of  the  hour  was 
suddenly  dispelled  when  Abijah  rode  abreast,  and  laid 
his  hand  below  hers  on  the  bridle.  The  horses  came 
abruptly  to  a  walk,  Barbara  sat  quite  still,  her  eyes  on  the 
big  hand  that  restrained  her,  until  it  removed  itself.  Then 
she  turned  upon  the  adventurer  with  the  liveliest  indigna 
tion.  He  almost  thought  she  would  have  struck  him  with 
the  riding  crop  she  clutched. 

"  What  did  you  do  that  for,  sir?  "  she  demanded,  and 
the  obvious  threat  of  the  question  tickled  Abijah's  risi 
bilities. 

He  bowed  low  over  the  neck  of  his  broncho,  5n  mock 
apology.  He  was  bareheaded,  and  the  deviltry  behind 
his  sober  eyes  was  perfectly  unshadowed. 

"  Your  horse  was  bolting,"  he  informed  her  with  calm 
mendacity,  and  a  condescension  which  impugned  her 
equestrianship. 

"  He  was  doing  nothing  of  the  kind,  sir.  And  if  he 
was,  it  wouldn't  matter  if  he  did  it  all  day  at  that  rate ! 
I'd  have  you  understand  I  had  been  at  some  trouble  to 
work  up  the  gait,  and  now  you've  spoiled  it.  As  a  horse 
man  you  might  have  seen  I  could  manage  him,"  said  Bar 
bara,  whose  indignation  was  apt  to  ooze  away  in  some 
whimsical  conceit.  She  felt  that  her  own  prank  de 
barred  her  from  criticising  Mr.  Bead's  wild  morning 
ride;  but  she  knew  her  course  was  not  so  peculiar  as  to 
justify  his  extraordinary  interference;  and  above  all,  she 
did  not  intend  to  be  patronised  on  the  score  of  horseman 
ship. 


io8  THE   PANG-YANGER 

"  Ah!  you  don't  know  that  horse!  Even  /  should  not 
attempt  to  ride  him,"  said  Abijah  darkly,  which  was  so 
probably  true  that  Barbara's  mutinous  mouth  twitched 
with  amusement.  "I've  known  him  from  my  youth  up; 
he  used  to  climb  trees." 

The  absurd  pretence  was  a  piece  of  the  prankish  frolic 
of  the  hour:  neither  of  them  really  felt  excuse  was  neces 
sary.  Barbara  gave  him  a  straight  boyish  glance  of  com 
prehending  fun  and  camaraderie,  and  frankly  laughed 
at  him,  and  before  the  compelling  good-fellowship  of 
this  young  girl,  the  man's  habitual  sophistry  and  suspicion 
fled.  He  smiled  as  he  did  at  Rob  when  they  were 
romping. 

"  Well,"  he  said  with  a  shrug  of  his  broad  shoulders, 
"  don't  blame  me  if  he  goes  pawing  up  the  next  tree  trunk 
with  you." 

"I  shall  not;  I  appreciate  your  neighbourly  concern; 
you  didn't  happen  to  pass  Mam'  Lilly,  did  you?"  en 
quired  Barbara,  as  he  still  kept  beside  her  spent  and  pant 
ing  palfrey;  her  address  had  the  easy  assurance  of  any 
chance  encounter  of  the  road.  There  was  not  a  particle 
of  coquetry  in  her  attitude. 

"  I  rather  think  I  cut  in  between."  By  a  touch  of  his 
knee  he  turned  the  broncho,  as  she  did  her  horse.  ''  I 
don't  think  there  is  much  danger  for  any  one  on  that  horse 
of  hers,"  he  suggested,  in  protest  at  the  termination  of  their 
ride  as  they  trotted  back;  Barbara's  horse  would  only  trot 
now,  and  the  motion  would  have  disconcerted  a  less  expert 
rider. 

"  Oh!  he  hasn't  the  habit  of  climbing  trees,  too?  " 

"  No,  this  one  is  the  trick  horse  of  the  town." 

Barbara  laughed,  a  little  scale  of  tuneful  joy. 

u  I'm  concerned  for  the  horse,  not  for  Mam'  Lilly. 
She  may  be  killing  him  for  not  keeping  up,  and  it  would  be 
difficult  to  find  another  mate  to — this."  She  touched  the 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  109 

respectable  animal  she  rode,  as  though  it  were  a  stray 
from  Noah's  Ark,  and  her  drollery  brought  another  of 
Abijah's  rare  spontaneous  smiles.  They  were  perfectly 
at  ease  together — these  two  dissimilar  strangers — and 
Abijah  was  talking  without  his  usual  touch  of  sarcasm  as 
they  came  upon  Mam'  Lilly  at  the  roadside.  She  was  pre 
paring  an  enormous  goad. 

"  Nothin'  lessen  a  club  gwine  to  make  dis  ol'  skate  go !  " 
she  explained  serenely  when  her  occupation  was  discovered. 

;'  Do  you  ride  much?  "  This  enquiry  by  the  only  rider 
in  the  countryside  suggested  a  suspicion  of  loneliness,  which 
Abijah  had  been  very  far  from  feeling.  With  the  effer 
vescence  of  his  mood  he  was  rather  disgusted  with  the 
prospect  of  having  his  prerogative  invaded;  but  this  was 
not  evident  to  Barbara ;  she  shook  her  head  sorrowfully. 

"  I  always  have,"  she  said,  "  But  I  haven't  my  horse 
any  more,  and  I  shall  not  try  this  experiment  again." 

Abijah  felt  relieved. 

;<  If  you  are  in  any  hurry  to  get  back,  you  had  better 
hitch  those  two  together.  They've  forgotten  how  to  travel 
single.  Good-morning,"  he  said  abruptly,  and  putting 
the  Bronk  at  the  roadside  wall,  he  rode  back  up  the  moun 
tain  at  a  steady  gait. 

"  Well,  I  never!  "  gasped  the  astonished  girl,  and  with 
out  another  word  led  the  ignominious  procession  home, 
with  the  hateful  consciousness  in  the  back  of  her  head  that 
the  eccentric  Abijah  was  observing  them  from  the  vantage 
of  his  mountain  eyrie. 

Zillah  evinced  an  undisguised  enjoyment  of  her  chagrin. 

"That's  just  like  Abijah  Bead!  You  didn't  expect 
he'd  '  see  you  home,'  did  you?  "  she  enquired,  when  Bar 
bara  recounted  her  adventures  at  the  breakfast  table.  It 
had  never  in  her  life  occurred  to  Barbara  to  conceal  her 
misadventures.  Clearly  it  was  no  fault  of  hers,  if  things 
went  wrong,  and  she  expected  sympathy,  not  criticism. 


no  THE   PANG-YANGER 

The  latter  always  astonished  her:  but  Mrs.  Hurst  did  not 
spare  a  just  reprimand  when  it  was  needed,  in  consideration 
of  any  one's  pampered  sensibilities. 

"  You'll  get  your  name  up,  if  you  don't  exercise  a  little 
caution,"  she  admonished  coldly,  and  Barbara's  patience 
suddenly  gave  way. 

"  My  name!  my  name!  "  she  flamed.  '  Thank  Heaven, 
I  have  men  in  my  family  not  too  far  away  still  to  look 
after  my  name,  whatever  freak  I  perpetrate." 

Barbara  had  found — rather  to  her  surprise — her  horizon 
narrower  than  formerly.  Not  only  did  the  sun  subtend  a 
shorter  arc  from  neighbouring  peak  to  peak,  than  on  the 
long  low  levels  of  the  South,  but  she  missed  the  scope 
of  interest  afforded  by  association  with  a  broadly  cul 
tured  man  of  Colonel  Haygood's  stamp.  She  quickly 
discovered  the  limitations  of  the  college  girls  she  met,  by 
comparison  with  this  masculine  standard,  and  lost  the  awe 
with  which  their  degrees  at  first  inspired  her.  As  for  the 
Hurstville  girls,  their  admiration  for  the  Southerner  was 
in  direct  proportion  to  the  inflexible  Northern  character. 
There  was  not  a  bachelor  of  them,  who  would  not  have 
sacrificed  an  academic  letter  or  so  of  her  degree  for 
Barbara's  facile  social  talents  and  cordial  manners,  the 
traditional  inheritance  of  a  long  line  of  hospitable  an 
cestry.  The  tide  of  village  life  set  toward  the  old 
Hurst  house,  as  soon  as  she  had  entered  it,  and  the  old 
clock  in  the  great  hall  fell,  after  a  trip  or  so,  into  the 
pace  of  a  younger  pulse,  and  began  to  reel  off  time  for  the 
ladies  Hurst  at  a  rate  none  of  them  had  ever  travelled. 
The  dull  procession  of  old  days  was  broken;  time  fell 
a-dancing  to  the  mystic  rune  of  youth,  and  monotony 
fled  its  long-established  habitation.  Nothing  of  the  or 
derly  routine  of  the  household  life  was  or  could  be  changed, 
but  the  stagnant  air  was  stirred  and  broke  in  ripples  as 
she  stepped  into  the  silent  place.  In  an  unusual  flight  of 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  in 

poetical  imagination  Zillah  likened  Barbara  to  a  brilliant 
intermezzo — a  description  she  would  have  been  loath  to 
have  Barbara  hear. 

Madam  was  delighted  with  the  change  from  the  cloister- 
like  seclusion  of  her  life,  and  notwithstanding  Mrs. 
Hurst's  dark  prognostications,  benefited  by  it.  The 
Papist  lady  had  never  shared  Captain  Hurst's  popularity 
as  she  did  Barbara's.  Her  religion  and  strange  foreign 
ways  offended  the  provincial  prejudice  of  the  early  inhabi 
tants  of  the  town  her  husband's  wealth  and  influence 
founded;  but  when,  after  long  retirement,  her  house  was 
opened  by  the  girl's  arrival,  time  had  rendered  the  com 
munity  abler  to  appreciate  the  fair  French  grande  dame. 
There  was  an  aristocratic  dignity  at  Hurst  House  which 
made  a  picturesque  background  for  Barbara's  easy  social 
habits.  Her  cordiality  embraced  all  castes,  with  an  uncon- 
sidered  assurance  of  her  own  which  aroused  Zillah's  aston 
ishment  and  envy. 

As  the  season  advanced  Madam  and  Barbara  lived 
much  out  of  doors,  for  Madam  indulged  a  horticultural 
mania  whenever  able  to  be  wheeled  into  the  formal  box- 
hedged  garden  paths,  and  under  her  inspiring  supervision 
Mam'  Lilly  dug  and  planted  "  like  a  co'n  fiel'  han'," 
averred  Barbara,  whose  enunciation  melted  in  hot  weather 
into  the  sweet  lazy  speech  of  the  South. 

Nothing  in  the  world,  however,  could  induce  Barbara 
herself  to  dig  or  plant.  She  sat  on  the  ground  and  made 
gruesome  collections  of  all  the  bugs  and  creeping  things 
that  came  incautiously  within  the  radius  of  her  trowel:  but 
dig  she  would  not,  not  one  trowelful;  and  when  Madam's 
exposition  of  the  joys  thereof  became  pressing,  the  en 
thusiast  found  herself  beguiled  into  time-consuming  his 
tories  of  old  gardening  days,  wherein  the  golden  hours 
slipped  away  without  a  stroke  by  the  incorrigible  idler. 
Barbara's  capacity  for  doing  nothing  with  a  serene  un- 


H2  THE  PANG-YANGER 

consciousness  of  any  dereliction  was  little  short  of  genius. 
Colonel  Haygood  had  disliked  to  see  her  fingers  busy  while 
she  talked,  and  it  was  really  not  the  poor  child's  fault 
she  had  no  small  employments  to  fill  her  leisure  up  and 
hypnotise  her  brain:  and  that  this  was  active,  as  she  sat 
with  pretty  folded  hands,  any  one  discovered  who  at 
tempted  to  arouse  her  to  physical  exertion.  Such  indolence 
was  intolerable  to  her  Aunt  Helen,  whose  own  aimless 
peregrinations  about  the  house  brought  her  inevitably 
around  to  its  disapproval,  with  that  long  black  stocking 
(it  appeared  to  Barbara's  casual  observation  always  to  be 
at  the  stage  of  "  heeling  off  ")  in  furious  progress,  as  an 
object  lesson.  Barbara  mystified  and  exasperated  this 
lady  by  expounding  the  theory  of  ecstatic  contemplation  in 
the  most  recondite  terms  she  could  remember:  and  finished 
by  singing  to  a  queer  little  lilt  of  her  own,  "  It  is  enough 
for  me,  not  to  be  doing,  but  to  Be." 

It  was  an  enchanting  spot,  this  old  formal  garden,  with 
its  revel  of  sweet  savours  and  its  carnival  of  bloom. 
The  same  plants  had  blossomed  in  trim  profusion  year 
after  year  for  half  a  century;  and  the  narrow,  long 
box-bordered  beds  overflowed  with  fair  old-fashioned 
flowers.  On  the  old  plaisance,  with  its  gentle  movement 
of  reviving  human  interest,  the  great  closed  house  across 
the  street  stared  blankly  down  across  its  smoothly  shaven 
lawns,  half  shutting  off  the  mountain  with  an  incongruous 
French  roof,  and  four  tall  chimney-pots. 

"  Foila! "  exclaimed  Madam,  one  day  in  an  unprece 
dented  outburst  not  entirely  provoked  by  contemplation  of 
the  house  itself;  "it  is  of  a  grotesqueness !  When  the 
chateaux  of  France  are  seen  it  reveals  itself!  impossible! 
But  what  would  you?  "  and  her  shrug  was  eloquent.  Bar 
bara  looked  surprised,  and  Father  Varney,  who  sat  with 
them  on  the  piazza,  smiled  indulgently. 

"  Does  it  not  suit  its  mistress?     I  only  saw  her  as  she 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  113 

was  leaving — but  she  looked  distinctly  mondaine,"  sug 
gested  Barbara  lazily. 

"  Did  you  not  admire  her?  "  enquired  the  priest. 

"  I  never  saw  as  beautiful  a  woman!  " 

"  But  it  is  understood  what  it  is  to  be  without  grand 
fathers,"  persisted  Madam,  and  both  her  listeners  smiled 
at  the  venom  of  the  gentle  lady. 

"  Maman's  prejudiced,"  drawled  Barbara,  "  because  as 
a  family,  you  know,  we  make  rather  a  specialty  of  'em : 
I've  never  had  any  intermediate  relations.  How  did  you 
ever  come  to  marry  a  man  without  any,  Madam  mere? 
You  established  a  dangerous  precedent." 

"But  no!  It  excuses  itself!  He  was  an  exception 
extraordinary!  "  said  Madam,  and  Barbara  and  the  priest 
smiled  together  again.  Father  Varney  held  the  cure  of 
souls  which  had  not  yet  outgrown  the  chapel,  built  and 
endowed  for  Felicite,  by  Captain  Hurst.  He  had  never 
known  the  captain,  but  was  naturally  indulgent  with  the 
widow's  estimate  of  him. 

;'  I  think  Mrs.  Phelps  is  rather  an  extraordinary  char 
acter,"  he  observed  suavely. 

"  But — surely!  "  ejaculated  Madam  with  empresse- 
ment. 

"  God's  ways  are  not  our  ways,  my  dear  Madam 
Hurst.  He  may  cause  our  very  sins  to  redound  to  His 
own  glory;  I  had  several  conversations  with  Mrs. 
Phelps  last  winter.  I  saw  there  was  a  struggle,  even  then. 
For  the  weary,  sin-sick  soul  there  is  no  refuge  but  in 
Mother  Church;  and  it  draws  her,  Madam,"  said  the 
Cure  triumphantly,  but  Madam  Hurst  was  silent.  Bar 
bara  had  gone  down  to  the  gate  to  meet  Maude  Phelps, 
and  the  two  young  girls  loitered  along  the  winding  walk 
to  the  house,  chatting  gaily. 

'  You,  whose  sweet  charity  extends  to  all  the  world, 
would  not  refuse  it  to  this  penitent,"  murmured  the  priest, 


ii4  THE   PANG-YANGER 

but  the  little  lady  was  at  her  stateliest,  and  entertained  her 
own  ideas  on  social  ethics. 

'  You  require  the  impossible,  Father,"  she  replied  with 
the  gentle  superiority  of  the  grande  dame  to  her  confessor, 
a  meaning  glance  toward  Barbara  the  only  explanation 
she  vouchsafed,  as  she  graciously  welcomed  the  newcomer 
Barbara  brought  to  the  porch. 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  any  one  at  Kelley's  Junction 
to-day?"  Zillah  made  enquiry  from  the  doorway  behind 
them,  drawing  on  her  gloves  for  the  drive  to  the  adjacent 
town.  She  carried  her  music  roll  beneath  her  arm,  and 
her  attitude  was  that  of  reserve  toward  the  garden  group. 
Madam  turned  a  face  full  of  affection  toward  her. 

"  Ah,  the  music  class,  chcre  Zillah?  But,  no.  I  have 
no  commands:  have  you,  my  Brownie?  " 

"  Nothing,  thank  you !  "  replied  Barbara,  with  an  enig 
matic  expression.  She  was  beginning  to  wonder  where 
her  summer  gowns  were  coming  from,  for  there  had  been 
no  reference  to  money  matters  since  she  had  come  to 
Hurstville,  and  her  own  purse  was  nearly  empty.  That, 
however,  having  been  its  chronic  condition  as  long  as  she 
could  remember,  did  not  greatly  trouble  her,  but  she  rather 
shrewdly  expected  less  inconsequence  in  Yankee  dealings, 
than  in  the  large  vague  South.  Zillah  disbursed  supplies, 
and  she  had  seemed  on  the  point  of  some  suggestion  several 
times,  but  hesitated.  Barbara  could  not  imagine  why,  and 
waited  with  quite  an  impersonal  curiosity.  She  naturally 
inferred  that  Madam  Hurst  was  conversant  through  their 
lawyer's  correspondence  with  her  financial  straits,  and  was 
only  too  glad  to  escape  discussion  of  Colonel  Haygood's 
unlucky  stewardship. 

"  Don't  you  wish  to  go  down  to  Kelley's  shopping  next 
week  with  me?  "  enquired  Maude  Phelps,  as  Zillah  passed 
down  the  garden-path  to  the  gate,  where  Mike  waited 
with  the  carriage  for  her. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  115 

Maude  had  come  from  college  to  be  with  her  mother, 
after  her  brother's  departure  for  Europe,  and  a  girlish 
friendship  had  at  once  sprung  up  between  her  and  Barbara 
Hurst. 

"Do  you  shop  in  Kelley's?"  enquired  Barbara  tenta 
tively. 

"  Certainly,  whenever  that  natural  inclination  becomes 
irresistible.  We  usually  buy  our  things  in  Albany  or 
New  York,  but  we  can  lunch  at  the  Mansion  House,  and 
attend  some  kind  of  a  mat,  and  generally  indulge  in 
riotous  urban  dissipations.  Do  come,  we  can  have  a  lark! 
Do  you  object,  Madam?  " 

''  Not  at  all.  By  all  means  have  what  you  call  the 
'  lark.'  You  can  return  on  the  evening  train  with  Zillah. 
She  goes  again  on  Wednesdays,  you  know,"  said  Madam 
with  serene  obliviousness  to  the  sordid  limitations  upon 
which  Barbara  was  expending  frantic  mental  calculations. 

"  I  shall  enjoy  going  ever  so  much,"  the  girl  an 
nounced  blithely,  having  decided  that  her  remaining  funds 
would  suffice  for  the  programme.  Possible  contingencies 
did  not  trouble  her,  as  she  recalled  a  remark  of  the  colo 
nel's:  "  When  there  are  only  a  few  dollars  left,  the  sooner 
they're  spent,  the  sooner  something  must  happen."  Penury 
had  been  at  one  time  almost  a  mark  of  distinction  among 
Southerners,  and  in  no  way  abated  their  pride  and  inde 
pendence. 

Barbara's  purse  was,  however,  temporarily  saved  from 
depletion,  by  a  letter  and  telegram  which  arrived  together 
on  the  morning  of  the  proposed  jaunt.  Zillah  in  the  lower 
hall  was  giving  a  last  touch  to  the  dusting,  when  she  heard 
an  exclamation  of  delight  from  Barbara,  who  came  in  a 
wild  dance  from  her  room.  She  accomplished  the  lower 
flight  upon  the  banister  in  a  breath-catching  slide,  caromed 
against  Zillah  in  landing,  held  her  fast,  and  tried  to  make 
that  stately  lady  dance. 


u6  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"Donna's  coming!  Donna's  coming!  Cousin  Dick 
has  bought  her  back,  and  sent  her  to  me!  "  she  chanted 
jubilantly. 

Zillah  stood  passive  in  the  embrace,  but  refused  to  move 
a  foot  in  dancing,  and  when  released,  went  swiftly  on  with 
her  dusting. 

44  Who  is  Donna?  "  she  enquired  with  a  faint  smile  of 
sympathy  for  the  girl's  enthusiasm. 

44  Why,  she's  my  horse,  my  own  darling  beastie,  bred 
and  broken  for  me,  and  never  ridden  by  any  one  but  me, 
until  I  had  to  sell  her.  It  nearly  broke  my  heart  to  let 
her  go,  and  she  understood — I  know  she  did — for  she 
threw  the  man  who  came  to  get  her,  and  she  is  always  gen 
tle  as  a  kitten  with  me." 

44  And  your  cousin  Dick  has  sent  her  to  you  here?  " 

4  Yes,  isn't  it  lovely  of  him?  And  he  ought  not  to. 
He  cannot  afford  it,  you  know.  That's  why  he  hasn't 
written  until  she  was  nearly  here.  He  knew  I  would  not 
let  him  do  it  if  I  had  known,  but,  oh,  I'm  glad  he  did! 
I  never  imagined  what  it  would  be  like — not  to  have  a 
horse.  I  can't  tell  you  how  I've  missed  her,  Zillah !  " 

44  You  have  not  mentioned  it,"  said  Zillah. 

4  Well,  under  the  circumstances  you  would  not  expect 
me  to,  would  you  ?  " 

Zillah  smiled  with  her  peculiar  reservations.  '4  Why, 
yes,  I  confess  I  should,"  she  said  deliberately. 

4  Then  you  do  not  understand  me  very  well  yet,"  said 
Barbara  with  dignity,  and  sauntered  to  the  front  door. 

14  It's  a  lovely  day — I'm  sorry  I  can't  go  to  Kelley's 
with  you  and  Maude,"  she  remarked  after  a  moment's 
silence. 

4  Why?  "  enquired  Zillah  in  surprise. 

44  Oh,  I  wouldn't  think  of  such  a  thing!  I  must  be  at 
the  station  when  she  comes  in.  I  know  just  how  nervous 
she  will  be  after  a  long  lonesome  journey,  and  no  one  can 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  117 

gentle  her  as  I  can.     I'll  put  on  my  habit  and  go  down 
with  you,  when  you  go.     She  may  be  on  that  train." 

"  Maude  will  think  it  a  peculiar  proceeding." 

"  Oh,  I  reckon  she  will  understand.  Isn't  it  time  we 
were  getting  ready?  " 

"  I'm  going  up  to  dress  as  soon  as  I  finish  this  dusting." 

"Oh!"  Barbara  realised  the  other's  occupation  for 
the  first  time.  "  Why  don't  you  let  Mam'  Lilly  do  that, 
Zillah?" 

"  Mam'  Lilly  isn't  a  scientific  duster." 

"  Isn't  Philena  either?" 

"  Philena  is  baking  to-day." 

"  Then  let  me.  You  will  be  all  tired  out  before  you 
start."  Zillah  held  the  duster  far  above  Barbara's  head. 

"  I'm  quite  accustomed  to  doing  it,"  she  said  coldly, 
but  Barbara  was  too  happy  to  accept  the  usual  rebuff  of 
her  proffered  services,  and  made  a  playful  struggle  to  ob 
tain  possession  of  the  duster.  To  her  surprise,  her  efforts 
met  with  serious  resistance.  With  one  firm  sweep  of  her 
long  arm  Zillah  put  her  aside,  and  resumed  her  employ 
ment  with  an  utterly  uncompromising  expression  of  coun 
tenance.  Barbara  was  silent  from  astonishment  and,  the 
effervescence  of  her  enjoyment  much  subdued,  went  in,  to 
inform  Madam  Hurst  of  the  unexpected  addition  to  her 
stables. 

'  I  suppose  you  will  not  have  much  use  for  these  horses, 
now  you  have  your  own,"  Zillah  remarked  as  they  rode 
toward  the  station.  Mike  was  putting  his  team  over  the 
road  at  their  best  pace,  and  Barbara  regarded  the  fat  car 
riage  horses  respectfully. 

"  Of  course,"  she  said  half  apologetically,  "  of  course 
I  shall  use  Donna  more." 

'  Your  Donna  is  a  very  fine  animal,  I  suppose?  " 

"Oh,  yes;  she  is  by  Hannibal  out  of  Kentucky  Belle, 
very  fast  and  gentle." 


n8  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Zillah  looked  shocked.  She  was  not  accustomed  to 
hear  pedigree  discussed  by  ladies. 

44  I  have  often  advised  Aunt  Felicite  to  sell  this  team, 
they  are  so  little  used:  but  she  has  kept  them  on,  always 
hoping  you  would  come,"  she  said  casually. 

4  You  always  have  kept  carriage  horses,  have  you  not?  " 
Barbara  enquired,  looking  puzzled. 

44  Aunt  Felicite  has;  /  was  not  brought  up  in  such 
state." 

14  But — you  use  them  a  great  deal.  It  would  incom 
mode  you  not  to  have  them." 

14  Not  at  all;  I  could  just  as  well  go  to  Kelley's  by  train 
and  ride  up  in  the  stage;  as  becomes  a  country  music 
teacher." 

Barbara  felt  quite  helpless  to  meet  Zillah's  bitter  moods. 

44  Is  it  a  question  of — economy?  "  she  enquired  anx- 
ously;  "  because,  if  so,  I  shall  send  Donna  back  again,  of 
course." 

4  You  know  how  that  would  affect  Aunt  Felicite," 
Zillah  remarked  inflexibly,  and  Barbara  looked  at  her  wist 
fully. 

44  Maman  is  obsessed  about  me.  I  wish  you  would  tell 
me  what  I  ought  to  do.  I  never  know.  Will  Donna  em 
barrass  her  financially?  " 

14  Not  the  least  in  the  world,"  responded  Zillah  with 
convincing  emphasis,  but  in  a  tone  so  peculiar  that  Bar 
bara  was  but  half  reassured. 

"  I  am  very  glad  of  that,"  she  said  with  a  sigh.  "  It 
was  hard  enough  to  give  Donna  up  the  first  time."  She 
interrupted  herself  to  bow  to  Mr.  Ten  Eyke. 

14  Do  you  like  Mr.  Ten  Eyke?  "  Zillah  enquired. 

4  Why-y-y — I  reckon  so.  Howdy,  Doctor?  "  and  Bar 
bara  waved  her  hand  at  Dr.  Pomfret,  as  he  passed 
them  in  his  gig.  44  I  don't  like  him  as  well  as  I  do  Dr. 
Pomfret!  Why?" 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  119 

"  Oh,  nothing:  only  he  wears  so  much  hair  oil." 

Barbara  laughed  gaily,  and  bowed  to  a  young  Italian 
youth,  carrying  a  large  basket. 

'  The  circle  of  your  acquaintance  is  certainly  elastic. 
How  did  you  come  to  know  him?  "  enquired  Zillah. 

"  He  picked  up  the  whip  the  other  day,  don't  you  re 
member?  " 

"  Yes — I  gave  him  a  dime  for  it,"  drily. 

"  My  traditions  are — different,"  with  spirit. 

"  I  was  not  aware  that  the  Hurst  tribe  inherited  any," 
acrimoniously. 

'  Then  I  should  think  you  would  have  found  it  per 
sonally  convenient  to  adopt  a  few,"  said  Barbara,  whose 
patience  was  not  inexhaustible. 

"  Ef  yer  thinkin'  of  ridin'  horseback,  Miss  Barbara, 
how's  this  now?  "  enquired  Mike,  turning  in  his  seat  to 
look  back  as  the  sound  of  a  galloping  horse  approached 
them.  Mr.  Bead  swept  by  on  the  Bronk,  without  so  much 
as  a  glance  of  recognition. 

He  had  pointedly  avoided  Barbara's  recognition  since 
their  escapade,  which  by  some  strange  chance  had  escaped 
publicity,  and  the  fact  gave  Barbara  an  irritating  sense 
of  conniving  at  a  secret.  Zillah's  smile  in  answer  to  her 
look  of  indignation  was  not  soothing. 

"  Quite  characteristic,  I  assure  you !  "  murmured  the 
elder  lady. 

"Characteristic  conceit!  He  acts  like  I  should  take 
advantage  of  that  absurd  rencounter,"  fumed  the  girl. 

'  You  haven't  said  what  you  think  about  selling  this 
team,"  Zillah  said  presently.  The  subject  seemed  to  be 
on  her  mind. 

'  That's  what  it  means,"  replied  Barbara,  with  a  shrug 
toward  the  lumbering  village  stage,  as  they  left  that 
vehicle  behind. 

"  Oh,  of  course,  if  you  object!     It's  a  question  between 


no  THE  PANG-YANGER 

you  and  me,  you  know,  as  Aunt  Felicite  can't,  and  Aunt 
Helen  won't  use  the  carriage." 

"  You  need  it,  Zillah;  if  you  will  not  ride  Donna." 
"  I  think  I  see  myself  doing  that!     But  as  I  have  told 
you,  my  convenience  is  really  not  affected." 
"  I  suppose  we  could  hire  upon  occasion." 
"  Certainly.      It  really  doesn't  seem  worth  while  to  keep 
them,  does  it?  " 

"  I  suppose  not,"  Barbara  acquiesced  as  she  stepped 
from  the  carriage  at  the  station  platform.  She  was  met 
effusively  by  Maude  Phelps,  to  whom  she  began  apolo 
getic  explanations. 

To  the  surprise  of  both  girls  Zillah  left  them  and  walked 
deliberately  down  the  platform  to  enter  into  a  conversa 
tion  with  Abijah  Bead,  who  was  idly  propping  up  a  cor 
ner  of  the  freight  house.  Having  decided  to  sell  that 
team,  she  took  advantage  of  the  first  opportunity  to  ne 
gotiate  the  matter,  and  the  stockman  accorded  her  proposi 
tion  the  most  courteous  attention,  and  offered  her  his  best 
advice  upon  the  matter.  He  had  always  greatly  respected 
Zillah  Hurst.  She  never  seemed  to  have  much  more  use 
for  people  than  he  did,  and  she  never  pretended.  He 
made  a  point  of  escorting  her  to  the  train,  when  it  came 
in,  and  handed  her  into  the  car  with  the  most  punctilious 
politeness.  Barbara  was  furious;  she  did  not  know  the 
purport  of  the  extraordinary  colloquy,  and  she  did  not  care 
what  it  might  be.  Zillah  clearly  should  not  recognise 
a  person,  for  any  purpose,  who  had  slighted  her.  Bar 
bara  was  a  loyal  soul  herself,  and  she  was  so  angry  she 
ignored  Zillah's  adieu  from  the  car-step,  and  walked  down 
towards  the  freight  car.  They  had  put  up  a  gang-plank, 
and  Donna  was  sliding  down  it  on  her  haunches.  When 
she  reached  the  ground  she  promptly  stood  on  her  hind 
legs,  and  began  walking  around  the  frightened  trainmen 
who  held  her  while  the  train  waited.  Mr.  Bead  was  an 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  121 

interested  spectator,  but  before  he  could  lend  a  hand, 
there  was  a  clear  bird-like  whistle,  a  slender  habited 
figure  whisked  by  him,  and  Barbara  was  at  Donna's  side. 
She  spoke  in  a  low  voice  to  the  trembling  animal,  who  im 
mediately  came  down  on  all-fours  respectably,  hung  her 
head  over  the  girl's  shoulder,  and  received  an  affectionate 
hug.  It  was  a  pretty  scene,  and  as  the  girl  and  her  horse 
walked  away,  thus  caressing  each  other,  there  were  heads 
at  all  the  car  windows  watching  them.  Mr.  Bead  was 
not  visible  when  they  reached  the  carriage. 

"  There  is  a  saddle  too.  Com — a  an'  signa  de  book, 
plees,"  said  Tony  Giacoso,  the  general  factotum  of  the 
Hurstville  depot. 

"  Certainly,"  said  Barbara,  and  she  went  back  with  him 
to  the  freight  house,  leaving  Mike  in  charge  of  Donna: 
Mr.  Bead  was  at  the  mare's  head  and  Mike  at  a  respect 
ful  distance  when  she  returned. 

"  Your  man  couldn't  hold  her,"  explained  Mr.  Bead 
briefly,  resigning  the  bridle  to  her  hand. 

"  I  thank  you !  "  she  said  icily,  looking  at  Mike.  ''  Do 
you  suppose  you  can  bring  the  saddle?  "  she  enquired  cut 
tingly,  and  Mike  went  after  it;  Mr.  Bead  walked  away 
also. 

Barbara  spoke  severely  to  the  mare  in  the  few  moments 
they  were  alone,  but  although  Donna  drooped  her  ears 
contritely,  and  manifested  every  intention  of  being  good, 
when  it  came  to  letting  Mike  come  near  enough  to  saddle 
her,  she  really  couldn't  do  it.  She  was  hysterical  from  her 
long  journey,  and  not  quite  responsible.  Barbara  real 
ised  this,  but  the  consciousness  of  Mr.  Bead's  critical 
observation  made  her  determined  not  to  be  defeated. 
She  took  the  saddle  herself,  and  Donna  let  her  throw  it 
on  her  back,  and  stood  like  a  lamb  while  she  tugged  at  the 
girth. 

"  If  you  intend  to  ride  the  mare,  that  girth  must  be 


122  THE  PANG-YANGER 

cinched  up  tighter!  "  Mr.  Bead's  voice  was  quite  grave 
and  authoritative.  He  drew  up  the  girth  several  notches 
beyond  Barbara's  efforts,  took  the  bridle  from  Mike,  and 
buckled  it  upon  the  mare's  pretty  head.  Barbara  stood 
beside  her,  silent. 

"  She's  very  nervous.  Better  let  me  give  her  a  turn 
up  the  road  before  you  mount,"  he  suggested  when  he  had 
finished. 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  but  I  believe  I  do  not  need  to  trouble 
you  further,"  said  Barbara  distantly. 

Mr.  Bead  regarded  her  calmly. 

"  I'll  give  you  a  mount  then,"  he  said,  and  waiting 
for  no  permission,  placed  both  hands  about  her  waist, 
and  lifted  her  into  the  saddle,  as  though  she  were  a  child. 
His  touch  was  a  revelation  to  the  girl.  A  vague,  sweet 
yearning  thrilled  her,  a  mad,  impossible  impulse  to  slip 
back  again  into  those  strong  hands  which  had  held  her  for 
a  moment.  Her  breath  was  hushed  and  laboured,  her 
eyes  glowed  softly,  and  the  pallor  of  her  face  startled  Mr. 
Bead,  who  looked  up  when  she  made  no  motion  to  place 
her  foot  in  the  stirrup  he  was  holding.  He  thought  her 
frightened,  and  lifted  her  quickly  to  the  ground  again. 
Barbara  leaned  heavily  against  Donna,  clutching  a  hand 
ful  of  her  mane  for  support. 

"  If  you  are  afraid,  you  must  not  ride  that  horse 
to-day,"  he  said  with  decision,  searching  the  girl's  face 
curiously. 

"Afraid!  "  It  was  infinite  relief  to  find  her  inexpli 
cable,  ridiculous  conduct  thus  attributed;  but  the  word 
stung,  and  "  Afraid!  "  she  repeated  slowly,  devoutly  hop 
ing  her  voice  sounded  better  than  it  felt,  "  how  per 
fectly  ridiculous!  If  you  will  kindly  assist  me  to  mount 
again — No,  sir,  not  that  way!  Your  hand,  please!" 
She  was  up  like  a  bird,  her  foot  scarce  pressing  on  the 
hand  he  held  for  her. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN  123 

The  little  piquant  face  was  pale  no  longer,  but  baffling, 
bewildering  with  an  elusive  light,  the  light  of  faerie : 
not  quite  "  the  light  that  lies  in  women's  eyes,"  but 
Abijah  was  wary.  For  a  moment  she  swayed  toward  him, 
seemed  about  to  speak,  but  her  crimson  lips  only  parted 
in  a  mystic  smile,  and  "  An  revoir "  was  all  she  said 
and  fled  away  toward  home. 

"  Not  on  your  life,  my  lady!  We  shan't  meet  again, 
if  I  can  help  it,"  mentally  ejaculated  Mr.  Bead,  conscious 
of  the  curious  eyes  around  him. 

:'  Now  fwhat  the  divil  should  ony  gurl  be  afther  wantin' 
to  roide  a  baste  loike  thot  for?  "  wailed  Mike,  as  Donna, 
gathering  speed,  swept  out  of  sight,  but  Mr.  Bead  only 
shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  sauntered  toward  his  patient 
Bronk. 

"Nose  kinder  eout  of  joint,  neow,  ain't  it,  'Bije?" 
drawled  the  stage  driver,  lounging  in  his  empty  vehicle. 

"  Looks  so!  "  said  the  erstwhile  solitary  equestrian  of 
Hurstville  shortly,  and  Bronk  fell  into  the  long,  easy  lope 
which  carried  him  over  the  ground  with  such  surpassingly 
little  exertion. 


VIII 

DR.  POMFRET  sat  on  the  front  porch  of  his 
house,  enjoying  the  interlude  which  a  July  Mon 
day  often  affords  a  country  doctor,  thanks  to  a 
rural  custom  of  attending  to  spiritual  and  physical  repairs 
on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  whenever  possible.  The  doc 
tor  was  verifying  the  local  items  in  the  latest  edition  of  the 
Hurstville  Post,  with  frequent  interruptions,  for  his  porch 
was  within  easy  conversational  distance  of  the  street,  and 
he  kept  a  keen  eye  upon  the  thoroughfare.  It  was  very 
quiet;  down  on  the  next  block,  the  business  section,  a  ram 
shackle  team  and  lumber  wagon  had  stood  for  a  long  time 
before  "  the  store,"  but  there  was  no  movement  on  the 
street,  and  between  the  local  items,  it's  likely  the  doctor 
dozed  occasionally. 

Abijah  Bead  came  out  of  the  bank,  and  stood  negli 
gently  in  the  sunlight  on  the  steps,  listening  to  the  banker, 
who  followed  him  to  the  threshold  and  held  him  in  im 
pressive  talk.  Mr.  Ten  Eyke's  manner  had  undergone  a 
complete  change;  he  was  obsequious  to  the  younger  man, 
who  had  almost  to  shake  him  off  finally;  Abijah's  face  was 
more  inscrutable  than  usual,  as  he  lounged  up  the  street, 
stepped  easily  over  the  doctor's  gate  and  sat  down  on  it, 
a  contumacious  back  to  Hurstville  and  all  its  ways  and 
works. 

His  advent  into  the  yard  aroused  the  doctor. 

"  News  seems  to  be  wildly  exciting,"  observed  the  visi 
tor,  striking  a  match  on  the  gate-post  and  lighting  a  cigar. 

"Hello,  where'd  you  come  from?"  enquired  the  doc- 

124 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  125 

tor,  glancing  down  the  street,  where  there  was  nothing 
equine  visible  except  the  somnolent  team  before  the 
store. 

"  '  From  going  to  and  fro  on  the  earth,  and  walking  up 
and  down  in  it,'  "  responded  Abijah  piously. 

"  Anything  happened  to  the  Bronk  that  you've  turned 
pedestrian?  " 

"The  Bronk  '11  be  along  by-and-by;  I'm  keeping  my 
eye  skinned  for  him :  but  I'm  not  anxious  about  the  Bronk," 
said  Abijah;  the  doctor  had  picked  up  his  paper,  and  its 
rustle  obscured  the  dark  significance  of  the  last  words. 

"  I  guess  you're  going  to  get  the  nomination  all  right, 
'Bijah."  The  doctor  spoke  with  cordial  confidence,  as  he 
skimmed  a  political  forecast,  but  the  amateur  politician 
on  the  gate  looked  dejected. 

'  Well,  that  will  show  '  you  never  can  tell  the  luck  of  a 
lousy  cat,'  "  quoth  he  sententiously,  and  the  doctor  laid 
aside  his  paper  and  sent  a  withering  glance  across  the  yard 
at  his  friend. 

u  Luck !  I  saw  Birdsell  last  week !  He  says  you've  an 
uncommon  faculty  of  organisation;  I'm  something  of  a 
dabster  at  wire-pulling  myself,  and  I  must  say  you  don't 
seem  to  have  overlooked  many  details;  I'll  admit  your 
methods  are  not — obvious.  Just  between  ourselves,  how'd 
you  go  to  work?  " 

Abijah  smoked  reflectively. 

;<  I  happened  to  go  fishing  with  Birdsell  once " 

"When?" 

"  Oh,  a  long  time  ago;  years!  I  was  just  a  kid.  Then 
I  met  up  with  him  in  a  God-forsaken  corner  of  the  North 
west  and  we  went  fishing  some  more.  We've  been  in  one 
or  two  little  deals  together  since.  He  has  somehow  ac 
quired  the  idea  that  I'm  a  financial  phenomenon.  Being 
one  of  the  old  wheel-horses  in  this  county,  I  naturally  put 
myself  in  his  hands,  when  it  occurred  to  me  I  wanted 


126  THE  PANG-YANGER 

to  go  to  Albany.     Whatever  he  says  goes  at  the  caucus, 
and  I'll  take  care  of  the  polls  myself." 

"  Of  course  I  knew  you  couldn't  have  squared  Birdsell 
in  the  usual  way." 

"  No,  no  more  than  I  could  you.  Who  you  going  to  put 
up  for  assemblyman,  Doc?  " 

The  bland  suggestiveness  of  the  ingenuous  question  was 
promptly  scored  by  the  blunt  old  doctor. 

"Humph!  your  indirection  travels  pretty  straight;  I 
suppose  you're  after  a  joint  nomination." 

"  Betcher  life!  "  responded  the  political  debutant,  and 
securing  a  firm  hold  on  the  gate  with  his  feet,  he  wagged 
his  huge  hand  at  his  friend,  and  launched  into  the  spec 
tacular  declamations  of  a  cart-tail  orator,  oblivious  of  ob 
servation. 

"  But — feller-citizens — let  there  be  no  misapprehension 
of  my  position.  To  the  superficial  observation  I  may  ap 
pear  to  be  on  the  fence,  but  I  deny  the  allegation,  and  defy 
the  allegator!  Yes,  sir!  It  is  my  unalterable  determi 
nation  to  stand  for  all  the  people  of  the  'Steenth  Assembly 
Deestrict,  regardless  of  party,  place,  or  power!  (By 
gosh,  Doc,  get  onto  the  alliteration !  Does  it  mean  any 
thing  in  particular?)  At  least,  feller-citizens,  I  want  to 
stand  for  all  of  you,  and  if  the  Democratic  Convention 
entrusts  their  interests  to  my  care,  I  shall  be — ahem !  very 
careful  of  'em!  Therefore,  Doc,  gimme  your  vote! 
(You  darned  old  Jacksonian,  you  might  as  well  as  to  throw 
it  away  on  a  Democratic  nominee.)" 

'  You  lunatic !  get  off  that  gate  and  come  up  here ! 
What's  the  reason  you  didn't  come  to  me  with  the  first 
symptoms  of  this  political  fever?  " 

'  Thought  I'd  better  see  how  my  own  party  cottoned 
to  the  idea  first,"  said  Abijah,  retaining  his  seat. 

'  Well,  I  suppose  I  can  swing  our  delegation  over  to 
you,  if  only  Ten  Eyke  does  not •" 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  127 

'  There's  no  trouble  about  Ten  Eyke,"  serenely. 

The  doctor's  bushy  brows  lowered  suddenly  above  his 
gleaming  eyes. 

"  If  you  don't  tell  me  how  you  did  that,  'Bijah  Bead, 
I'll  turn  you  down  in  the  delegation,  and  work  against 
you  at  the  polls,"  he  said  with  emphasis. 

Abijah  pulled  on  his  cigar  reflectively. 

''  It  was  nothing  but  a  bluff  at  first,"  he  said,  and 
dropped  his  voice  as  he  proceeded,  until  the  doctor  was 
leaning  forward  in  his  chair  to  catch  the  pregnant,  low- 
spoken  words  across  the  narrow  lawn. 

"  I  experimented  with  his  nibs.  Put  him  next  to  a 
specious  scheme;  a  perfectly  rotten  thing;  a  thing  no  de 
cently  conservative  man  would  touch  with  a  ten-foot  pole ; 
but  this  honourable  Christian  gentleman  was  all  ready 
for  a  go  at  it  and,  Lord!  I  wanted  to  let  him  go  the 
limit." 

'  The  old  hypocrite !  And  I've  banked  with  him  for 
thirty  years,"  snorted  the  angry  doctor,  but  Abijah  waved 
a  soothing  hand  as  he  continued. 

;t  I  haven't!  I  have  an  instinctive  mistrust  of  the  oil 
of  bergamot,  but  it's  no  part  of  mine  to  destroy  the  touch 
ing  confidence  of  my  fellow-townsmen  in  each  other;  so 
I  just  devilled  him  on  my  own  hook,  and  you  may  take  my 
word  I've  kept  him  on  the  anxious  seat  the  most  of  this 
fiscal  year.  He  never  knew  what  damaging  insinuation 
I'd  spring  on  him  in  public,  and  I've  kept  him  guessing, 
until  the  other  day, — in  a  spirit  of  pure  philanthropy,— 
I  dropped  down  on  him  at  the  bank,  and  offered  to  take 
up  any  old  blocks  of  stock  he  had  lying  around  loose.  I 
guess  I  timed  it  pretty  fine,  for  he  wanted  to  fall  on  my 
neck.  I  reared  up,  of  course,  and  he  hit  somewhere 
about  the  belly-band,  and  then  I  sat  the  little  runt  down 
hard,  in  his  presidential  chair,  and  talked  to  him  like  a 
Dutch  uncle.  Oh,  no !  There  isn't  going  to  be  any  trou- 


128  THE  PANG-YANGER 

ble  with  Ten  Eyke  when  my  name  comes  up  in  the  Con 
vention;  or  elsewhere.  You  go  ahead  and  try  it." 

"  Then  the  rascal's  damn  peculations  have  crippled  the 
bank?  He  ought  to  be  ridden  on  a  rail,"  stormed  the 
indignant  depositor. 

"  I  shan't  have  my  scented  figure-head  treated  that  im 
proper.  He  has  violated  the  federal  banking  laws  at  his 
own  sweet  discretion,  under  Phelps'  nose,  but  he's  useful 
now  and  harmless;  and  you  can  bank  with  us  and  Co.  as 
long  as  my  luck  lasts.  I'm  going  in  as  a  director  shortly. 
Ten  Eyke's  given  up  everything  he  has,  to  straighten 
things  out;  and  glad  to  do  it.  He  didn't  mean  to  be  dis 
honest,  but  he  wasn't  the  calibre  for  a  speculator.  Know 
what  gave  me  the  cue  to  drop  on  him  finally?" 

"  No — of  course  not." 

"  I  nearly  had  a  fit  and  fell  in  it,  when  I  heard  by  chance 
that  you  were  treating  him  for  insomnia.  A  bank  presi 
dent  and  insomnia !  and  everybody  so  sympathetic  over 
poor,  dear  Mr.  Ten  Eyke!  Oh,  Doc!  oh,  Doc!  "  and 
Abijah  lifted  up  his  voice  in  shouts  of  laughter  until  the 
shameless  echoes  of  it  filled  the  quiet  street.  The  doctor 
made  no  pretence  of  sharing  his  amusement. 

'  The  whole  community  is  under  very  great  obligations 
to  you,"  he  began  pompously,  but  was  interrupted  by  a 
diabolic  chuckle  from  the  gate. 

"  Oh,  damn  the  community!  I've  had  more  fun  than 
a  goat,"  averred  Abijah,  but  he  was  disconcerted  by  his 
friend's  gravity. 

'  Well,  then,  I'm  probably  personally  in  your  debt,  for 
about  all  I've  got,"  the  doctor  persisted,  "  but  if  you 
imagine  that's  going  to  influence  me  in  the  Convention," 
hotly,  u  you  overestimate  your  powers  of  ridicule.  I  in 
tended  to  have  you  nominated,  and  I'm  not  to  be  intimi 
dated,  confound  you!  If  you  can  get  any  satisfaction  in 
thinking  you've  squared  me,  you're  welcome  to  it." 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  129 

"  Your  noble  sentiments  are  a  credit  to  you,  Doc,  and  I 
guess  I  can  stand  'em,  if  you  can,"  said  Abijah,  and  the 
eyes  of  the  two  men  laughed  together,  for  they  under 
stood  each  other  very  thoroughly,  the  old  and  the  young 
man. 

"  One  good  thing,"  exulted  the  doctor,  "  you've  had  to 
display  some  of  your  hidden  lucre." 

'  Yes — they're  getting  onto  me,"  said  Abijah  dejectedly. 

:'  If  you  mean  to  roost  out  there  on  that  fence  much 
longer,  you  had  better  send  for  your  saddle,"  the  doctor 
suggested  hospitably,  and  Abijah  gave  him  a  reproachful 
glance. 

"  You  don't  sabe,  Doc.  Perhaps  it  looks  as  though  I 
were  grilling  out  here  for  the  fun  of  the  thing;  my  posi 
tion  is  always  being  misunderstood;  but  I'd  have  you  know 
I'm  here  entirely  out  of  a  delicate  consideration  for 
you." 

'  Much  obliged." 

"  I  didn't  suppose  you'd  like  me  to  compromise  the 
belle  of  Hurstville  by  my  disreputable  society,  so  I  sent 
Murrey's  understudy  back  with  her  mare.  If  you  hadn't 
been  asleep  a  while  ago,  you  would  have  seen  me  cavort 
through  the  town  like  a  Comanche  on  the  warpath,  after 
that  darned  mare.  Don't  turn  pale,  fond  lover,  the  lady's 
safe;  and  a  most  uncommonly  lively  young  woman  she 
is,  too.  I  wish  you'd  teach  her  something  about  the  laws 
of  trespass  when  you  get  time.  I  hope  the  Bronk  hasn't 
bucked  that  boy  off,  but  I'm  getting  anxious." 

'  What  on  earth  are  you  talking  about?  Where  is 
Miss  Hurst?" 

"  God  knows !  "  ejaculated  Abijah.  "  I  left  her  in  the 
middle  of  my  ten-acre  meadow,  with  Giuseppe  Giacoso; 
they  were  strawberrying.  It  didn't  seem  to  faze  her  to  be 
caught  red-handed  in  the  act;  though  I  cut  loose  and  in 
voked  some  lurid  penalties  on  trespassers;  skinning  was 


130  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  mildest  thing  I  think  I  mentioned.  You  see,  there  was 
nothing  visible  in  the  high  grass  but  a  derby  hat  beside 
Giuseppe's  old  straw  sailor,  and  I  didn't  happen  to  know 
he  was  pals  with  your  girl." 

The  doctor  lay  back  and  chuckled  fatuously. 

;<  What  did  Barbara  do?  "  he  asked  with  interest. 

"  '  Barbara  '  stood  up  in  the  middle  of  my  meadow,  and 
withered  me  with  a  glance.  I  was  certainly  abashed,  and 
there  wasn't  anything  but  a  grin  under  that  Dago's  hat. 
Wait  till  I  catch  him  alone!  It  was  a  mighty  relief  to 
me  when  her  mare  hit  the  trail  for  home,  and  distracted 
her  attention.  She'd  been  standing  behind  some  bushes, 
and  I  hadn't  seen  her  till  she  streaked  past  me.  In  the  ex 
citement  of  the  moment  your  '  Barbara  '  condescended  to 
address  the  cowering  wretch  before  her.  Peremptorily 
ordered  me  to  get  a  move  on,  and  catch  that  mare  before 
the  family  was  thrown  into  a  state  of  mind,  by  seeing  her 
come  home  riderless.  I  moved  on,  I  assure  you.  Briskly! 
In  fact,  the  Bronk  had  to  hump  himself,  and  I  only  cor 
ralled  the  little  brute  by  taking  a  cut  through  Storms' 
barnyard,  and  heading  her  off  on  the  very  homestretch.  She 
went  like  smoke,  and  I  could  have  lathered  her  good  for 
parading  me  through  the  village  at  her  tail!  I  saw  Mur 
rey's  understudy  in  the  store  door,  looking  wistful,  and  as 
I  happened  to  remember  some  pressing  business  engage 
ments,  I  sent  him  back  with  her.  She  wouldn't  let  him 
up,  so  I  gave  him  the  Bronk.  It  seems  hard  I  cannot 
lead  a  peaceful  life,  try  as  I  will!  If  the  Bronk  hasn't 
bucked  the  tenderfoot  off,  they  ought  to  be  back.  Rob 
ought  to  be  here,  anyhow." 

The  doctor  found  the  story  entertaining. 

"  Were  they  down  in  those  valley  meadows  of 
yours?  " 

"  They  were.  The  belle  has  a  hankering  for  wild  straw 
berries,  and  I  suppose  she  can  devastate  all  the  crops 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  131 

in  the  vicinity,  and  the  humble  agriculturist  mustn't  say  a 
word,  but  I  draw  the  line  at  the  Dago;  I  will  skin  him!  " 
said  Abijah  vindictively. 

"  What  a  girl  she  is!  "  said  the  doctor  admiringly. 

"  She  is — indeed,"  answered  Abijah  with  deep  feeling. 
"  That  expresses  it  all." 

"  I  wish  she  were  my  daughter,"  defiantly  retorted  the 
doctor,  meeting  the  pitying  regard  Abijah  turned  upon 
him. 

"  I  hate  to  see  you  in  this  state,  Doc,"  Abijah  said  with 
feeling.  "  Better  marry  her  and  get  it  off  your  mind  as 
soon  as  you  can." 

"  Drop  those  idiotic  insinuations.  She's  a  mere  child 
to  a  man  of  my  age,  but  I  would  adopt  her  if  I  could." 

"  I'd  adopt  a  wild-cat  cub  first.  If  you  want  comfort, 
adopt  a  likely  boy  like  mine.  Hear  him  come !  "  and 
they  listened  as  a  sound  of  a  pattering  gallop  broke  the 
stillness  of  the  street.  Abijah  leaned  back  on  the  gate, 
and  gave  a  view  hello,  as  Rob  rode  into  sight.  The 
boy  waved  his  hand  and  came  on  at  a  hand  gallop.  He 
threw  himself  from  his  pony  with  a  fine  affectation  of  his 
father's  dashing  manner. 

"  Where's  the  Bronk?  "  demanded  Mr.  Bead. 

'  The  druggist  is  riding  him  back  with  the  lady.     Didn't 
you  catch  her  horse,  father?  "  asked  Rob. 
'Yes.     Bronk  going  along  peaceable?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 
'  What  kept  you  so  long?  " 

''  I  had  some  strawberries.  The  lady  in  the  man's  hat 
made  the  boy  give  me  all  he  had  in  his  pail.  I  didn't  want 
to  take  his  berries:  I  was  going  to  pick  some  myself,  but 
she  made  me  take  his;  and  the  boy  laughed." 

'  That  was  very  kind  of  the  young  lady,"  said  Abijah 
gravely. 

"  May  I  go  down  the  street  and  play?  " 


1 32  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Yes;  just  bring  the  Bronk  up  when  he  gets  back,  will 
you,  pard?  No — guess  I  would  not  take  the  pony  to  play 
on  the  congested  thoroughfare  of  this  metropolis.  Leave 
him  here." 

"  You  see  yourself  as  others  see  you !  "  laughed  the  doc 
tor  as  the  tiny  figure  sauntered  down  the  street.     His  air 
of  abstracted  observation  was  his   father's  very   own— 
until   some   object   of   interest  started   him   into   a   dead 
run. 

"  And  I  tell  you  what,  it  makes  me  sit  up  I  "  replied  the 
father  gravely,  and  the  doctor  nodded.  He  was  a  lonely 
man  himself,  though  he  seldom  had  time  to  realise  it. 

'  Your  mother  and  sister  are  coming  down  the  street," 
he  admonished,  breaking  up  a  little  silence  that  fell  on 
them. 

"Well,  I  can't  help  it — it's  a  public  thoroughfare; 
but  if  you  send  me  to  Albany,  I'll  introduce  a  bill  in  the 
parliament  for  the  corralling  of  all  women  of  a  certain 
age,"  said  Abijah  persuasively,  and  he  did  not  turn  his 
head  as  the  doctor  bowed  to  his  relatives. 

"  I  wonder  what  you  will  do.  As  a  practical  politician, 
I  would  suggest  that  your  attitude  at  present  lacks  the 
bland  obsequiousness  we  have  come  to  expect  of  political 
aspirants,"  remonstrated  the  doctor. 

4  No  one  expects  '  bland  obsequiousness  '  of  a  Pang- 
Yanger,  and  women  can't  vote.  If  they  could,  I  wouldn't 
run  for  anything  but  the  woods." 

"  I'd  hate  to  nominate  a  man  to  run  against  the  silent 
vote;  besides,  several  of  the  proletariat  have  passed  with 
out  your  recognition." 

'  Think  I'm  going  to  give  them  a  chance  to  gloat 
over  my  '  bland  obsequiousness  '  on  the  verge  of  nomi 
nation?  " 

'  No;  but  I  hope  you  won't  make  it  a  point  to  be  any 
more  mulish  than  usual,"  said  the  doctor  mildly.  "  I've 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  133 

had  to  confess  you're  a  better  judge  of  men  than  I  am; 
but  you  don't  know  a  damn  thing  about  women,  'Bijah!  " 

"  Don't  have  to.  I  told  Birdsell  when  we  talked  this 
thing  over,  I  thought  I  could  poll  a  good  vote,  and  I  think 
I  can.  I  make  no  pretence  of  popularity,  but  I've  dealt 
with  the  men  of  this  county  somewhat  extensively,  and 
not  with  the  women,  and  there's  no  kick  coming  from  any 
where,  as  far  as  I  know.  No,  the  proletariat  isn't  giv 
ing  me  any  uneasiness:  I've  devoted  my  attention  to  the 
nomination,  and  I've  told  you  something  about  that. 
Happen  to  have  a  little  influence  with  several  of  the  lead 
ers;  on  both  sides.  I  guess  you  needn't  hesitate  to  put  me 
up.  My  political  assets  aren't  what  they're  quoted,  but 
you're  the  only  one  who  suspects  that  what  I  don't  know 
about  finance  fills  the  books.  I'm  rated  Ai !  Birdsell 
thinks  I'm  a  phenomenon.  Birdsell  '  draws  his  own  con 
clusions,'  bless  his  heart — and  I  let  him.  He  '  wants 
shrewd  business  men  in  the  Assembly  to  finance  up-state 
affairs.'  Oh,  Lord!  And  he  is  sending  me  to  Albany 
'  to  hold  the  up-state  delegates  together,  and  balk  the 
iniquitous  city  contingent.'  And  I'm  going,  Doc,  simply 
on  my  thundering  luck!  If  the  thing  don't  peter  out,  I'm 
going  to  Washington  later.  '  Chairman  of  the  National 
Finance  Committee,' — and  hold  your  breath  while  you 
watch  me  do  it." 

'What  a  damn  fraud  you  are!"  The  doctor's  fist 
came  down  on  his  chair-arm  in  a  smashing  blow. 

''  I'm  the  helpless  victim  of  circumstances;  I  repudiate 
any  personal  responsibility  for  it,"  said  Abijah. 

"  A  damn  fraud !  "  reiterated  the  doctor.  "  You  know 
your  financial  ability  is  as  much  a  talent  as  the  ability  to 
paint,  or  write,  or  sculp." 

'Tisn't  in  the  same  class  at  all;  those  fellows  always 
show  that  the  brainwork  tells  on  'em,  and  I'm  as  husky 
as  I  was  when  I  herded  sheep." 


134  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Oh,  you  make  me  tired,"  said  the  doctor  in  disgust. 

'  You  come  up  to  Albany  next  winter,  and  I'll  wear 
you  out.  We'll  have  a  sheol  of  a  time!  I'm  going  to  do 
the  thing  up  scrumptious,  once  I  start  with  it.  My  boy 
shall  see  his  dad's  no  slouch  at  the  high  monky-monk  busi 
ness  when  he  gives  his  mind  to  it.  Know  why  I  hate  to?  " 

"  Have  to  wear  a  b'iled  shirt,  I  suppose." 

Abijah  wriggled  ruefully  within  his  comfortable  neg 
ligee  at  the  suggestion. 

"  It  isn't  so  much  that.  But — do  you  know  what  my 
mother  will  say?  That  is,  when  she  gets  so  she  speaks 
to  me  at  all.  I'm  cut  off  with  a  shilling,  you  know,  since 
I  brought  the  boy  home." 

"  '  My  son,  the  Congressman!  '  '  laughed  the  doctor; 
"  but  how  can  you  expect  her  to  speak  to  you  in  that  posi 
tion?" 

"I'll  turn  around  next  time;  then  she  will  say — you 
know  her  deliberate  way — '  Abijah,  if  you  had  cultivated 
the  right  people,  you  might  have  occupied  a  creditable 
position  in  the  world  always! '  Position !  there's  been 
solid  satisfaction  in  being  a  black  sheep!  " 

''  Why  forsake  so  conspicuously  successful  a  role?  " 

u  The  kid — of  course,"  said  Abijah  simply.  "  Having 
snared  him  into  life,  I  owe  him  the  best  life  affords.  That 
is  only  dead-sea  fruit,  of  course,  but  he  may  not  be  like  me ; 
I  hope  he  won't.  He  may  not  taste  the  ashes  of  success." 

"  The  rule  of  thumb  is  what  the  most  go  by,"  said  the 
doctor. 

He  broke  off  abruptly,  to  watch  with  undisguised  inter 
est  the  equestrians  coming  up  the  street,  through  the  blaze 
of  summer  sunshine.  Abijah  saw  them  too,  out  of  the  tail 
of  his  eye,  without  changing  his  position.  Barbara  bowed 
to  the  doctor  across  the  encumbrance  on  his  gate,  as  they 
swept  past,  and  the  young  gentleman  accompanying  her 
called  apologetically: 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  135 

"  I'll  be  back  in  a  moment,  Mr.  Bead!  "  but  Abijah 
only  acquiesced  in  this  arrangement  by  a  backward  move 
ment  of  his  hand. 

"  Some  one  ought  to  knock  you  off  that  gate,"  said  the 
doctor  wrathfully,  and  Abijah  got  up. 

"  You  haven't  been  real  hospitable  about  it  since  I  sat 
down  there,"  he  remarked  reproachfully,  "  and  I  shan't 
sit  on  your  gate  any  more !  " 

Rob  was  coming  up  the  street,  his  cap  far  back  on  his 
ruddy  curls,  his  roseleaf  colour  aglow  beneath  a  promising 
crop  of  freckles  impartially  distributed  all  over  his  coun 
tenance. 

Abijah  opened  the  gate;  he  was  thinking  of  the  woman 
whose  beauty  was  captivating  London :  whose  social  tri 
umphs,  recorded  in  the  Associated  Press,  filled  half  the 
first  page  of  the  current  issue  of  the  Hurstville  Post  which 
lay  beside  the  doctor. 

"  He-wouldn't-let-me-have-the-Bronk!  "  gasped  Rob, 
his  eyes  wide  with  amaze  that  any  one  should  ignore  his 
father's  orders,  and  Abijah  drew  the  little  panting  figure 
close  to  him.  They  made  a  picturesque  and  striking 
group,  the  powerful  dark  man  and  the  fair  child. 

'  I  forgot  he  would  naturally  want  to  go  on  up  to  the 
Hurst  house,"  said  Abijah  in  the  courteous  intonation  he 
invariably  adopted  towards  his  son.  "  We  must  accom 
modate  our  neighbours,  you  know." 

Contrary  to  his  custom,  he  made  a  leisurely  detour  that 
day  through  the  exclusive  residential  section  of  the  village 
on  his  way  home,  and  as  their  horses  clattered  through  the 
drowsy  streets,  they  set  the  gossip  of  veranda  groups  agog. 
Abijah  felt  the  breeze  of  the  fluttering  pages  of  the  Hurst 
ville  Post  follow  in  his  wake. 

"  Print  the  news,"  he  had  said,  curtly  declining  the 
censorship  offered  by  the  distracted  editor.  ;<  Print  all 
the  news.  Facts  won't  hurt  me."  And  it  followed,  the 


136  THE  PANG-YANGER 

editor  being  a  literal-minded  man,  that  this  last  edition 
was  embellished  by  Sarah's  picture  on  the  title  page — "  the 
most  beautiful  woman  in  London  "  —and  contained  on  the 
second  page,  an  editorial  on  Abijah's  Bead's  political  pros 
pects. 

His  bearing  was  urbane  and  debonair  as  he  chatted  with 
the  gallant  child,  riding  beside  him,  and  his  absorption 
was  such  as  to  preclude  all  salutations. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  observed  her  brother's  approach  from 
a  distance,  and  was  at  the  gate,  a  pretty  figure  in  flutter 
ing  summer  finery,  to  intercept  him  as  he  rode  by. 

"  Oh,  'Bijah!  "  she  called,  and  Mr.  Bead  hastily  drew 
rein  at  the  sound  of  the  ladylike  voice,  and  looked  around, 
so  blandly  at  loss  for  any  reason  for  his  detention,  that 
his  sister  somewhat  lost  composure. 

"  How  de  do,  Emily?  "  he  said — and  waited. 

"  Oh,  'Bijah,  I  wanted  to  talk  to  you !  "  she  said,  coming 
daintily  out  to  the  edge  of  the  shady  sidewalk,  and  looking 
up  at  him  confidentially;  Rob  was  staring  at  her  with  all 
his  might. 

"  I  wanted  to  tell  you  how  glad  I  am  of  your  success. 
We  were  all  so  surprised  about  the  bank.  I  cried  when 
John  told  me;  "  there  was  a  mist  in  the  lady's  dark  eyes 
now;  she  had  borne  in  secret  her  husband's  tendency  to 
family  animadversion,  and  Abijah's  affluence  meant  more 
to  her  than  he  guessed.  He  looked  down  on  her  now, 
kindly,  quizzingly.  After  all  Emily  was  a  good  little 
thing  within  her  limitations. 

"  Expect  I'd  fill  a  pauper's  grave  if  I  wasn't  hung  for 
a  horse  thief,  didn't  you,  Em?  "  he  teased. 

"No,  of  course  not!"  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  repudiated 
any  such  reflections  on  the  family,  "  but  this  is — different. 
John  says  you  are  almost  sure  of  getting  the  nomina 
tion  too;  'Bijah,  I  shall  be  so  proud  of  you,  if  you  are 
elected." 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  137 

Abijah,  impassive,  flicked  a  fly  from  the  quivering 
shoulder  of  Bronk. 

"  John  has  a  great  deal  of  influence,"  continued  Mrs. 
Brinkerhoff,  "  and  he  is,  of  course,  doing  all  he  can  for 
you." 

"  Can't  you  stop  him,  Em?  "  enquired  Abijah,  affecting 
consternation.  "  If  you  have  any  desire  to  cut  a  dash  in 
Albany  next  winter  with  me,  you'd  better  inveigle  your 
old  man  into  a  trip  somewhere,  until  after  election." 

"  You  can  scarcely  hope  that  all  your  family  incum- 
brances  will  betake  themselves  to  trips,"  retorted  Emily, 
who  was,  after  all,  Abijah's  own  sister. 

"  By  the  way,"  he  said  carelessly,  "  I  have  not  intro 
duced  my  son  to  you  yet.  Rob,  this  is  your  Aunt  Emily." 

Rob  plucked  his  cap  from  the  back  of  his  incriminating 
rubescent  pate,  and  rode  his  pony  close  to  the  walk,  to  offer 
a  grimy  paw.  The  lady's  jewelled  fingers  closed  loosely 
upon  it;  there  was  just  a  moment's  hesitation,  and  then  she 
bent  forward  and  kissed  him.  The  merry  little  face  was  ir 
resistible,  and  the  embarrassment  of  recognition  less  than 
her  schooling  had  led  her  to  expect.  Abijah  had  taken  the 
boy  on  all  his  business  trips  since  bringing  him  to  Hurst- 
ville;  his  presence  was  not  thrust  upon  the  community 
when  they  were  home,  and  really — since  his  hair  was  cut, 
and  his  freckles  masked  his  face, — there  wasn't  such  a 
dreadful  resemblance  as  at  first !  Already  the  impress  of 
the  paternal  expression  was  moulding  the  maternal  fea 
tures  :  in  a  few  years  casual  observation  would  not  de 
tect 

Abijah  was  watching  her  with  his  inscrutable,  mocking 
expression. 

"  Bring — bring  him  over  to  see  me  some  day,"  she  said 
vaguely,  and  her  brother  laughed. 

'  Yes — be  nice  for  him  to  come  over  and  play  with  his 
little   cousins,   won't  it?"   he   jeered,   and  the   childless 


138  THE  PANG-YANGER 

woman  winced.  Personally  she  did  not  regret  her  barren 
ness,  but  she  objected  to  her  brother's  open  strictures  on 
her  marriage. 

The  recognition  of  his  affluence  and  importance  in  the 
community  seemed  to  drive  Abijah  Berserk-mad;  and  dur 
ing  the  summer  which  preceded  his  election  he  ran  amuck 
of  the  sensibilities  of  his  would-be  constituents,  by  ribald 
carping  at  conventional  standards,  social,  civic,  and  theo 
logical,  in  season  and  out.  From  his  seat  at  Murrey's  in 
the  long  dusty  afternoons,  he  flouted  their  foibles, — or 
worse, — in  the  face  of  a  decent  community,  with  spe 
cially  virulent  jeers  at  the  shortcomings  of  church 
members,  dignitaries,  and  powers,  until  by  midsum 
mer  every  political  wiseacre  in  the  home  district  dis 
counted  his  chances  of  nomination  by  the  ratio  of  his  own 
castigation.  He  seemed  deliberately  to  challenge  and 
defy  defeat,  and  his  very  friends,  his  warmest  advocates, 
grew  dubious:  even  Dr.  Pomfret  would  not  speak  to  him 
at  one  time,  which  apparently  afforded  the  recalcitrant 
candidate  exquisite  amusement,  and  at  an  informal  con 
ference  of  the  powers,  only  the  unexpected  advocacy  of 
old  Mr.  Deyo  saved  his  nomination.  The  old  gentleman 
arose,  and  in  his  anxiety  was  utterly  unconscious  of  mak 
ing  a  political  speech  until  the  thing  was  done. 

'  'Bijah  allus  was  a  queer  sorter  genius,"  he  urged  ear 
nestly,  rising  unconsciously  to  his  feet,  "  but  he  don't  mean 
half  he  says!  He's  a  smart  feller  and  he's  honest:  and 
them  regular  politicians  up  at  Albany  won't  get  the  best 
of  'Bijah  Bead  very  easy.  I'd  sorter  like  to  give  'em  a 
chance  to  try!  " 

A  yell  of  laughter  and  applause  disconcerted  the  gentle 
old  man  and  he  sat  down,  bewildered  but  smiling  faintly; 
and  the  native  humour  of  his  countrymen,  which  has  es 
pecial  joy  in  the  expose  of  meretricious  schemes,  carried 
the  delegation  for  the  eccentric  candidate.  It  was  expected 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  139 

that  Abijah's  career  would  furnish  delectation  in  that  par 
ticular  direction. 

Soon  after  this,  an  article  in  the  Hurstville  Post  turned 
his  own  weapons  against  the  candidate;  ridiculing  his  atti 
tude  so  ably  and  so  subtly  that  Abijah,  wincing  as  he  read, 
was  forced  to  restrain  his  sardonic  humour. 

He  attributed  the  article  to  Dr.  Pomfret;  and  it  was  to 
his  perplexed  and  exasperated  friend  that  its  inception  was 
due,  but  a  lighter  pen  helped  out  the  doctor's  laboured 
efforts.  Barbara  Hurst  had  come  upon  him  in  the  throes 
of  composition,  possessed  herself  in  a  trice  of  his  anxieties 
and  desires,  and  throwing  herself  into  the  spirit  of  the 
thing,  dashed  off  the  article  which  convulsed  the  com 
munity,  while  the  old  gentleman  sat  and  nibbled  his  big 
pen.  Barbara  was  not  quite  a  tyro  in  the  political  arena, 
her  pen  having  aided  Colonel  Haygood  in  several  of  his 
campaigns;  and  with  an  intuition  for  which  she  blushed 
hotly,  she  saw  the  very  soul  of  this  strange  man  writh 
ing  in  humiliation  before  the  people  whom  he  mocked 
and  feared.  Her  own  pride  was  contending  with 
strange  insurgent  emotions,  and  she  understood  the  sav 
agery  of  the  defensive  impulse.  She  was  very  cheerfully 
prepared  to  die  rather  than  betray  her  despicable  weak 
ness  for  this  cad  who  vaunted  a  woman's  frailty:  as 
suredly  the  colonel  would  have  challenged  such  a  man  be 
fore  breakfast,  on  the  general  principles  of  the  code;  and 
Barbara  felt  debased  that  he  possessed  an  almost  irre 
sistible  attraction  for  her.  In  the  face  of  his  obvious  in 
difference,  this  influence  was  simply  maddening,  and  Bar 
bara  raged  against  herself  and  him;  and  yet — and  yet — 
the  bitter  sweetness  of  it!  She  tingled  with  it,  as  her 
pen  scored  and  helped  him  secretly;  excusing  herself  on 
the  secret  plea  that  it  would  be  a  remarkably  good  thing 
for  several  people  if  he  were  elected,  and  left  Hurstville 
for  at  least  part  of  each  year. 


1 40  THE  PANG-YANGER 

She  put  a  laugh  in  every  line  she  wrote;  catch  phrases, 
for  slower  wits  to  fence  his  badgering  withal,  but  not  a 
word  to  rankle  afterwards.  "  Fractious  "  effectually  de 
prived  Abijah's  bitterest  gibes  of  venom,  and  "  tantrums  " 
made  his  humours  trivial;  he  was  put  to  the  defence  by  a 
suggested  repartee  which  lost  no  zest  for  his  long-suffering 
townsmen  by  threadbare  repetition ;  and  only  he  discerned 
(and  roundly  cursed)  the  penetration  of  a  friend  which 
had  taken  measure  of  his  weakness,  and  rallied  him  to  its 
defence.  He  knew  that  his  outrageous  flings  evoked  a 
dim  perception  in  his  victims  that  he  jeered  not  them, 
but  Fate,  whose  puppet  he  was  one  with  them,  and  he 
shrewdly  counted  on  the  practical  result  of  being  somehow 
held  to  champion  the  masses  against  entrenched  aggres 
sion.  This  was,  in  truth,  far  from  being  his  case,  but 
as  he  scornfully  assured  his  anxious  political  sponsors, 
"  he  did  not  fear  the  proletariat."  Nevertheless  he  did 
fear,  was  panic-stricken,  by  the  possibility  of  a  failure  he 
did  not  anticipate;  and  he  had  no  stomach  to  make  light 
of  his  unreason,  even  with  his  most  sympathetic  friend. 
Barbara's  article  forced  him,  when  all  other  remonstrances 
had  failed,  to  face  the  logic  of  the  situation;  to  pay  the 
cost  or  relinquish  the  design.  He  could  not,  with  any  de 
gree  of  truth,  be  said  to  grow  obsequious,  but  he  became 
approachable:  occasionally  suffered  an  influential  citizen 
(his  erstwhile  censor,  or  his  butt)  to  converse  with  him 
and  was  even  known  to  endure  congratulations  on  his  un 
looked-for  prosperity,  without  casting  about  for  a  weapon, 
though,  in  the  latter  situation,  the  strain  of  complaisance 
was  obviously  at  the  limit.  As  the  season  of  his  nomina 
tion  approached,  the  doubts  of  his  political  well-wishers 
vanished,  but  Abijah  only  shared  their  confidence  publicly. 

Hitherto,  he  had  held  himself  grimly  aloof  from  the 
discipline  of  life,  which  comes  inevitably  with  competition, 
and  now  for  the  first  time,  having  challenged  appraisement^ 


CHAPTER  EIGHT  141 

he  was  afraid,  horribly  afraid  of  a  "  fiasco."  Money  he 
had  made  or  lost  indifferently,  an  impersonal  affair  and 
no  exponent  of  a  man's  real  worth;  but  now  he  felt  the 
official  measure  of  the  world,  and  the  ingrained  defect  of 
his  character  was  a  distrust  of  his  own  qualities. 

Throughout  that  interminable  summer  he  awoke  o' 
nights  with  sudden  starts  to  read  the  doctor's  careless  for 
mula  in  the  darkness:  "  Success  is  the  quantivalent  of  the 
dynamic  force  of  a  man."  His  big  hands  clenched  them 
selves  until  the  tendons  creaked  in  the  silence  as  he  looked 
into  the  abyss  of  failure,  and  comprehensively  cursed  the 
pertinacity  which  held  him  to  his  purpose,  and  all  con 
tributory  sources  of  his  extreme  discomfiture,  back  to  the 
very  beginning  of  things. 

And  the  curious  part  was,  he  had  no  sympathy  whatso 
ever  with  this  coward  who  almost  betrayed  him.  His 
conviction  of  success  remained:  but  it  was  a  trying 
summer. 


IX 

ALONG  drought  had  seared  the  vegetation  of  the 
mountains  to  a  prer.iature  and  sombre  semblance  of 
autumnal   colouring,   and  the   day  was  windless. 
The   still   dry   air  was  surcharged   with   electricity,    and 
Nature  held  her  breath,  tensive,  expectant  of  elemental 
violence. 

During  a  long  drive,  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  had  alternately 
harassed  and  soothed  her  horses,  until  the  staid  and  gentle 
creatures  were  as  nervous  as  herself.  When  she  turned 
toward  home,  Barbara,  who  had  watched  her  with  languid 
interest,  sighed  in  relief.  Warm  weather  never  made  Bar 
bara  restless,  but  she  had  accompanied  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff 
through  inertia,  a  refusal  being  more  effort  than  acqui 
escence. 

As  they  drove  listlessly  through  the  still  forest,  a  sudden 
breeze  dropped  into  the  road  ahead,  and  a  cloud  of  dust 
scurried  toward  them,  to  die  down  before  it  reached  them. 
The  forests  crowded  close  on  either  side,  and  all  the  visible 
sky  above  was  blue  and  cloudless:  but  while  the  sun  still 
shone  brightly,  there  was  a  dimming  of  the  luminous  air 
which  betokened  a  fast-gathering  tempest,  and  a  low  growl 
of  thunder  in  the  northwest  came  on  another  breeze — a 
little  stronger — which  lapped  against  their  faces  and  set 
the  surrounding  treetops  whispering. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  brought  down  her  whip  with  utter 
disregard  of  that  delicacy  which  usually  inframed  her  every 
action,  and  the  horses  sprang  forward  into  the  face  of  a 
rising  wind. 

142 


CHAPTER  NINE  143 

"  Maybe  we  can  get  to  'Bijah's!  "  she  said  wildly,  and 
though  this  would  have  been  no  refuge  of  Barbara's  choos 
ing,  she  was  not  consulted,  and  her  companion's  terror 
would  have  rendered  the  most  valid  protest  unavailing. 

The  storm  burst  in  swift  fury  as  they  turned  into  the 
driveway  of  the  old  Bead  place,  and  the  reins  dropped 
from  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff's  nerveless  hands.  She  cowered 
back,  and  hid  her  face  on  Barbara's  shoulder.  Barbara 
shook  her  off,  caught  the  lines,  and  raced  for  the  house, 
through  a  blinding  swirl  of  rain. 

The  storm  enveloped  the  mountain;  dazzling  blue 
flames  zigzagged  on  the  darkness,  while  the  reverbera 
tion  of  the  thunder  was  almost  a  continual  roll.  The 
tumult  drowned  the  sound  of  their  approach,  but 
as  Barbara  brought  the  horses  to  a  stand  before  the 
house,  a  flash  revealed  them  to  Abijah,  who,  with  Rob 
astride  his  shoulder,  stood  in  a  group  of  his  men,  in  the 
wide  barn  door.  He  dashed  out  in  the  downpour  toward 
them,  and  tossing  the  boy  into  the  porch,  leaped  toward 
the  carriage,  and  lowered  the  top.  Thereupon  his  sister 
fell  limply  forward  into  his  arms,  and  was  almost  carried 
into  the  house. 

One  of  his  men  had  followed  Mr.  Bead,  and  stood  at 
the  horses'  heads,  stolidly  watching  Barbara,  who  de 
scended  from  the  carriage  without  haste  or  assistance. 
Being  already  drenched,  her  best  and  most  becoming  gown 
a  ruin,  there  was  a  certain  savage  satisfaction  in  a  total 
wreck;  and  she  proceeded  to  the  house  with  a  deliberation 
which  allowed  the  elements  to  complete  their  devastation. 
Her  hat  collapsed  in  pulp  above  her  eyes,  as  she  reached 
the  steps,  and  she  jerked  it  off,  and  threw  it  as  far  as  she 
could  send  it. 

'  I'm  very  glad  to  see  you,"  said  Rob  politely,  coming 
down  into  the  rain  to  offer  an  umbrella  he  had  not  had  time 
to  open,  and  the  cordial  little  face  somewhat  dispelled 


144  THE   PANG-YANGER 

her  swift  exasperation.  She  took  his  hand,  and  they 
ran  up  the  steps  together.  Mr.  Bead  was  at  the  door  to 
meet  them. 

"  Come  right  in,"  he  said  hospitably  as  the  two  drenched 
figures  paused,  dripping,  at  the  threshold. 

"  I'm  in  a  state  of  solution,"  she  announced  with  the 
calmness  of  desperation  at  the  contretemps  which  again 
presented  her  at  a  disadvantage  before  this  man,  and  there 
appeared  good  grounds  for  her  apprehension.  Her  gown, 
a  filmy  black  thing,  of  unsubstantial  fibre,  seemed  dissolving 
on  her  as  she  stood.  Mr.  Bead's  countenance  expressed 
the  sympathy  of  a  wooden  Indian. 

'That's  bad:  can't  you — er — wring  it  out,  or  some 
thing?  "  he  suggested  vaguely.  His  own  clothing  had  ab 
sorbed  a  considerable  amount  of  moisture,  but  it  did  not 
drip.  Barbara  caught  up  her  skirt,  and  gave  it  an  im 
patient  shake,  but  the  clammy  feel  of  the  clinging  folds 
was  the  last  touch.  With  a  quick  impatience  she 
ripped  off  a  yard  or  so  of  her  limp  train,  and  threw  the 
stuff  out  of  the  door.  Mr.  Bead's  impassivity  was  such 
as  though  the  rending  of  garments  was  a  customary  social 
rite  of  entrance  at  his  home. 

"  I  don't  know  the  modern  equivalent  for  sackcloth,  but 
there  are — ashes,"  he  remarked  tentatively,  and  Barbara 
flashed  a  glance  of  indignation  into  the  quiet,  mocking  face 
above  her. 

"  I  don't  care!"  she  exclaimed,  exactly  like  a  spoiled 
and  unrepentant  child,  but  her  host's  expression  of  stolid 
resignation  was  convulsing,  and  she  laughed  until  she  cried, 
while  he  looked  on,  helpless. 

This  meeting  was  not  of  her  seeking:  she  would  not 
have  condescended  to  manoeuvre  for  the  sake  of  her  im 
mortal  happiness,  and  although  she  could  not  subdue  a 
humiliating  tendresse  for  this  queer  Yankee,  pride  in 
stinctively  defied  the  weakness.  She  was  palpitant  with 


CHAPTER  NINE  145 

the  joy  of  this  chance  rencontre;  he  thought  her  perfectly 
insouciant. 

An  anguished  wail  from  the  room  behind  her  checked 
Barbara's  laughter. 

"Oh,  'Bijah!"  adjured  his  sister's  voice,  and  Mr. 
Bead  started  for  the  stairway  with  visible  relief  at  the 
escape. 

"  Just  a  minute,  Emily,"  he  called  apologetically,  and 
mounting  three  steps  at  a  leap,  looked  back  at  Barbara,  in 
her  clinging  tatters.  "  Sister's  in  there,"  he  observed  in  a 
tone  of  general  invitation,  pointing  to  an  open  doorway  as 
he  disappeared. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  was  prone  upon  a  couch,  her  hands 
pressed  upon  her  ears,  and  Barbara  had  only  made  out 
her  location  in  the  gloom  of  the  storm-darkened  room, 
when  Mr.  Bead  reappeared,  carrying  a  plump  feather  bed, 
which  he  proceeded  in  a  matter-of-fact  way  to  spread 
smoothly  over  his  sister's  prostrate  form. 

"  Thank  you,  brother,"  said  a  smothered  voice,  and 
he  turned  to  meet  Barbara's  face  of  liveliest  amusement, 
and  Rob's  wide  wondering  eyes. 

"  Usual  performance,"  he  explained  with  a  shrug; 
"  guess  that  struck  pretty  near,"  he  added,  as  a  vivid  flash 
was  followed  by  a  crash  which  shook  the  house.  Rob 
crept  up  to  him  and  slipped  his  hand  in  his. 

"  Bad  storm,  pard,"  said  Mr.  Bead,  clasping  tight  the 
warm  little  fingers,  and  looking  toward  the  window. 

The  storm  was  furious:  sheets  of  driven  rain  shut  off 
the  valley  from  their  view  completely;  broken  branches 
hurtled  past  on  the  blast  as  the  great  trees  bent  and  strained 
against  the  wind,  and  the  roar  of  the  tumult  filled  the  old 
farm-house  with  that  empty  echoing  sound  so  indescribably 
haunting  and  suggestive  to  the  imagination. 

Barbara  stood  by  a  large  desk  in  the  centre  of  the  room, 
alert,  lightly  poised  with  head  uplifted,  and  eyes  fixed  on 


146  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  rain-dashed  window  panes.  She  was  conscious  of  an 
elemental  force  swaying  her  toward  Abijah,  just  as  the 
trees  swayed  in  the  wind,  and  a  delirious,  joyous  desire  to 
yield  herself  to  the  influences;  not  that  she  meant  for  a 
moment  to  do  so.  She  was  perfectly  unconscious  that  she 
met  his  casual  glance  with  the  starry,  ineffable  eyes  which 
had  startled  and  baffled  him  once  before. 

"  You — you  are  not  afraid?  "  he  queried.  It  was  not 
at  all  what  he  had  intended  to  say. 

"Oh,  no!"  breathed  Barbara,  with  such  unconscious 
but  ecstatic  fervour,  that  the  hapless  man  before  her  was 
stark  with  consternation,  and  ran  his  fingers  wildly  through 
his  sleek,  wet  hair.  "This  is  the  worst  ever!"  he  re 
flected,  and  clutched  Rob  as  his  only  hope  and  safeguard 
from  effusive  womankind. 

"  You  are  pretty  wet,  Miss  Hurst;  don't  you  think  you 
had  better  throw  one  of  my  coats  around  you?  "  he  en 
quired  with  a  level  unexpressiveness  of  voice  and  face 
which  aroused  Barbara  to  conventionalities.  Her  dress 
was  clinging  to  her  neck  and  arms  in  unpleasant  sticky 
pulp;  but  she  laughed, — a  soft  throaty  little  laugh — in 
describably  feminine  and  touching. 

"  Oh,  I  reckon  this  gown  of  mine  is  going  to  stick  by 
me,  literally,"  she  said  airily,  and  patting  her  seeping 
sleeve,  found  her  assurance  utterly  discredited;  the  traitor 
ous  gauze  came  away  on  her  fingers  in  shreds  and  patches, 
and  she  extended  the  horrifying  exhibit  toward  her  host 
with  a  dramatic  gesture  of  dismay. 

Mr.  Bead  was  resourceful.  He  made  a  prompt  raid  on 
a  chimney  closet,  where  he  kept  convenient  garments,  and 
extracting  an  enormous  silk  muffler  from  the  pocket  of  an 
overcoat,  folded  it  shawlwise  as  he  crossed  the  room,  and 
laid  it  lightly  on  her  shoulders.  The  bright  colours  lent 
a  foreign  piquancy  to  her  dark  face  and  curling  hair,  and 
under  the  decorous  protection  of  the  silken  drapery,  she 


CHAPTER  NINE  147 

stripped  off  the  unpleasant  remnant  of  her  sleeves  and 
wiped  her  round  arms  on  her  handkerchief. 

"  If  you'll  excuse  me,  please,  I'm  pretty  wet  too, 
and  I  guess  I'll  have  a  change,"  said  Rob,  and  his  father 
saw  him  depart  with  dire  misgivings. 

But  Barbara  sat  down  and  folded  her  hands,  a  picture 
innocent  of  alarms,  while  her  host  prowled  about  the  con 
fines  of  the  room. 

"  He  has  very  pretty  manners — for  a  boy,"  she  re 
marked,  adding  the  qualification  as  she  watched  Rob's 
frantic  efforts  to  ascend  the  stairway  two  steps  at  a  time, 
in  emulation  of  his  father's  habit.  Mr.  Bead  had  come  to 
rest  beside  a  window,  and  his  reply  was  inarticulate.  Sud 
denly  his  figure,  dim  against  the  gloaming,  was  outlined 
by  a  vivid  flash  of  lightning,  which  played  in  vivid  blue 
light  around  the  window;  it  brought  Barbara  to  her  feet 
with  a  startled  exclamation.  Abijah  did  not  move,  and 
for  an  instant  terror  held  her  rigid,  then — 

"  Mr.  Bead,"  she  cried,  but  still  he  did  not  move  nor 
speak,  and  she  ran  to  him,  and  shook  his  arm  wildly. 

"Mr.  Bead!  Mr.  Bead!  The  house  is  struck!  I 
heard  Rob  fall !  "  she  cried,  but  he  only  stared  at  her 
dully. 

"  Oh,  what  shall  I  do!  "  she  sobbed  under  her  fright 
ened  breath,  then  called  shrilly,  "  Rob !  "  The  name 
aroused  Abijah,  and  Barbara  followed  him,  as  struggling 
with  the  stupor  of  the  shock,  his  feet  groped  a  way  slowly 
and  paused  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs. 

"  Go  on !  go  on !  "  she  cried,  and  then,  as  he  did  not 
stir,  pushed  past  him  and  rushed  up  alone. 

"Rob!"  she  called,  "Rob!"  A  whiff  of  smoke 
stopped  her.  "  Fire!  "  she  shrieked  frantically.  "  Mr. 
Bead,  fire  !  "  But  there  was  no  answer  from  the  inert  man 
below,  and  she  dashed  into  a  doorway  from  which  floated 
softly  a  faint  wreath  of  smoke. 


148  THE  PANG-YANGER 

The  lightning  had  entered  near  the  window,  stripping 
off  the  casing,  and  setting  fire  to  it,  and  there  was  a 
ominous  crackling  sound  as  the  flame  licked  its  way  into 
the  room.  Rob  lay  on  the  floor  unconscious,  and  she 
gathered  him  up  in  her  arms,  and  staggered  back  to  the 
head  of  the  stairs. 

"  Fire!  fire!  "  she  cried,  sinking  down  on  the  step  with 
her  burden,  and  Abijah  looked  at  them  somnolently. 

"  Fire !  "  she  shrilled  again  with  all  her  strength,  and  he 
heard  at  last. 

It  seemed  to  her  that  he  came  up  those  stairs  and  passed 
her  in  one  wild  bound.  Closing  the  door  of  the  burning 
chamber,  he  leaped  to  a  window  at  the  end  of  the  hall,  and 
throwing  up  the  sash,  summoned  his  men  with  a  shout  that 
brought  them  on  the  run.  His  directions  for  a  bucket 
line  were  concise  and  forceful,  but  Barbara's  only  sense  of 
his  free  and  fluent  expletives  was  a  comforting  assurance 
of  his  recovered  energy. 

She  felt  no  further  responsibility  for  anything  that  hap 
pened,  and  sat  still  on  the  stairs  holding  Rob,  until  he 
came  back  to  them,  Rob  opened  his  eyes  as  his  father 
spoke. 

"  Come  down,  the  men  will  be  up  here  in  a  moment," 
Abijah  said  hurriedly,  and  lifting  the  boy  from  her  arms, 
ran  down  the  stairs.  Barbara  got  up,  but  there  was  no 
more  in  her,  and  she  was  clinging  limply  to  the  banisters 
when  he  glanced  back.  Although  not  yet  fully  realising 
the  strain  she  had  undergone,  her  helplessness  was  obvious, 
and  there  were  heavy  footsteps  clattering  through  the 
house;  so  back  he  dashed,  and  throwing  one  arm  around 
her  waist,  swept  down  into  the  hall  with  his  double  burden, 
blocking  the  narrow  passage  just  as  the  men  rushed  in 
from  the  kitchen.  A  grin  of  ecstatic  joy  broadened  Gid's 
lantern  jaws,  and  old  Jerry's  twinkling  eyes  lit  up  with  the 
fun  of  his  master's  predicament. 


CHAPTER  NINE  149 

"Hustle!  "  said  Abijah  brusquely,  stepping  hastily  in 
side  the  doorway,  and  they  dashed  past. 

He  deposited  Barbara  unceremoniously  upon  the  first 
chair,  and  thrust  Rob  back  into  her  arms.  Barbara  clutched 
the  boy  automatically. 

"  Stay  here,  in  here,  till  I  come  back !  "  he  said  with 
authority,  as  he  closed  the  door. 

Snatching  the  pail  of  water  from  the  nearest  man,  he 
sprang  toward  the  stairway,  shouting  his  directions.  It 
was  a  brisk  and  stubborn  fight  to  rescue  the  old  farm-house, 
for  the  inside  woodwork  burned  like  tinder,  and  only  his 
precaution  in  closing  the  door  upon  the  flames  had  saved 
it.  There  was  a  long-continued  tramping  of  rough-shod 
feet  throughout  the  house,  gruff  orders  from  above,  and 
answering  shouts  along  the  bucket  line.  The  old  pump 
sloshed  and  rumbled  steadily,  but  Pete,  who  laboured  at 
the  handle,  was  adjured,  in  any  terms,  to  "  pump !  "  until 
his  patience  failed,  and  he  execrated  all  and  sundry  be 
tween  his  laboured  breaths.  To  Barbara  listening  in  the 
room  beneath,  the  dash  of  water  in  the  burning  chamber 
sounded  at  such  infrequent  intervals  she  looked  up  be 
tween  each  swish,  expecting  flames  to  burst  above 
her  head.  Withal  it  never  occurred  to  her  to  move,  hav 
ing  a  sense  of  perfect  personal  security,  as  long  as  Abijah 
commanded  the  situation. 

After  an  enormous  interval  of  time  (it  was  within  the 
half-hour,  but  her  arms  ached  with  their  unusual  burden 
and  she  was  very  tired)  there  was  a  shout  of  "  All  right, 
now,  boys !  "  re-echoed  by  each  man  along  the  line  to  Pete 
outside  at  the  pump.  Then  one  and  all  must  needs  file 
up  the  stairs,  to  stand  and  look,  and  comment  on  the  dam 
ages  with  that  impressive  masculine  deliberation  which  is 
so  maddening  to  female  nerves.  They  lingered,  tramp 
ing  to  and  fro  and  talking  for  an  unconscionable  interval, 
while  Barbara  waited  wearily. 


150  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Abijah  was  begrimed  with  smoke,  and  the  stinging  smell 
of  it  clung  to  him,  as  he  bent  anxiously  over  the  two  figures 
huddled  in  the  chair  where  he  had  placed  them.  It  had 
not  occurred  to  Barbara  to  put  Rob  down,  and  he  had 
cuddled  up  to  her,  well  content  with  this  unusual  petting. 

"  Isn't  he  all  right?  "  enquired  Mr.  Bead,  touching  the 
boy's  face  gently,  and  a  fury  of  jealousy  choked  Barbara's 
voice. 

'  Yes — I'm  all  right,  fa-a-ther,"  answered  Rob,  and 
laid  hold  of  the  blackened  hand,  and  held  it  close  against 
his  face. 

'  The  fire  has  done  but  little  damage,  thanks  to  you, 
Miss  Hurst.  I  should  have  been  too  late.  I  must  have 
been  badly  stunned— 

'  You  were,"  said  Barbara  unsteadily.  His  nearness 
was  so  dear!  so  dear!  She  dare  not  lift  her  eyes  lest  he 
should  read  her  naked  soul. 

"  Was  Rob  in  that  room?  "  Mr.  Bead  made  a  gesture 
upward. 

"Yes,  I  heard  him  fall!  "  Her  lips  were  trembling, 
but  Abijah  could  not  see  that. 

"And — you  went  in — and  brought  him  out?"  His 
voice  was  very  gentle  now.  Few  ever  heard  the  tone; 
there  was  nothing  in  the  world  he  cared  for  greatly  but  his 
son,  and  he  had  been  near  death. 

"  Oh,  dear!  There  was  no  one  else  to  get  him !  And 
the  fire — frightened — me !  "  Her  voice  broke,  she 
yielded  to  the  impulse,  and  laid  her  head  upon  his  arm, 
sobbing  happily. 

"  By  thunder,  a  man  can't  live  a  quiet  life!  "  mentally 
ejaculated  Mr.  Bead,  and  braced  himself  to  bear  whatever 
more  that  day  the  gods  intended  to  inflict.  The  muscles  of 
the  arm  on  which  the  little  dark  head  rested  grew  tense 
as  wire,  as  he  looked  down  at  the  delicate  nape  uncon 
sciously  inviting  a  caress,  but  her  abandon  moved  him  to 


CHAPTER  NINE  151 

the  self-restraint  which  a  maid's  utter  innocence  imposes 
on  a  man's  free  impulses. 

Her  tears  passed  in  a  whirlwind  gust  and  unexpectedly 
she  sat  up  and  pushed  him  violently  away. 

'  Where's  my  handkerchief?  "  she  sniffed  in  an  injured 
tone,  and  Abijah  strode  off  again  to  that  indispensable 
chimney  cupboard  of  his,  and  extracting  therefrom  an 
ample  linen  one,  shook  it  out,  and  extended  it  to  her  in  the 
tips  of  his  grimy  fingers. 

''  It's  all  your  fault,"  she  averred  vaguely,  as  she 
mopped  her  averted  eyes.  ''  Here,  take  him  !  "  she  said  in 
sudden  annoyance  with  the  child,  and  Mr.  Bead  in  grim 
silence  stooped  and  gathered  his  son  up  in  his  arms. 

'  I  was  frightened!  "  Barbara  explained  in  a  severely 
narrative  style.  "  It  was  the  fire;  I'm  afraid  of  a  fire,  and 
I  heard  it  roar !  And  you  wouldn't  come !  " 

Although  at  a  comparatively  safe  distance  now,  Abijah 
was  perfectly  distracted  by  the  prospect  of  a  fresh  out 
burst  of  tears,  but  Rob  intervened,  leaning  from  his  arms 
toward  the  girl. 

"  Please  don't  cry  any  more,"  he  said  in  his  soft  little 
way,  and  glancing  up  at  them,  Barbara  burst  into  hysteric 
laughter. 

"  A — St. — Joseph !  "  she  gasped,  and  laughed  again,  but 
there  was  no  sanctimony  in  Abijah's  villainous  appear 
ance.  He  set  the  Bambino  down  with  decision  and 
opened  the  window. 

"  There's  the  reek  of  the  pit  in  here,  brimstone  and 
smoke.  The  rain  is  letting  up  a  little;  do  you  think  you 
could  come  out  on  the  porch?  "  He  hesitated.  Barbara 
sprang  to  her  feet:  did  the  man  think  she  wanted  to  be 
carried  again?  and  they  went  out  into  the  fresh  electric 
air.  The  rain  was  falling  still,  but  the  wind  had  ceased: 
only  a  thin  mist  obscured  the  valley,  and  the  smell  of  the 
drenched  earth  rose  refreshingly.  Abijah  sat  down  on 


152  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  railing,  and  drew  a  sigh  of  relief,  while  Barbara,  hesi 
tating  a  step  or  so,  fell  to  a  slow  pacing  back  and  forth,  her 
little  hands  folded  demurely  on  the  corners  of  her  shawl, 
pressing  against  the  beating  of  her  happy  heart.  The  wide 
grey  childish  eyes,  looking  into  the  misty  space  of  the 
earth  around,  were  luminous  with  the  trace  of  tears  which 
softened  the  riant  face  to  a  strange  sweetness. 

'  There's  no  use — my  trying  to  thank  you!  "  Abijah 
spoke  after  a  silence,  with  unaffected  earnestness  and  feel 
ing.  '  You  saved  the  boy.  I  don't  know  what  I  should 
have  done  if  such  a  fate  had  overtaken  him — here!  "  He 
drew  Rob  to  him  as  he  spoke,  and  held  him  close.  "  I'm 
aware  of  course  that  it's  immaterial  to  you,  but  some 
how  I  want  you  to  understand  I  appreciate  what  you  have 
done;  the  bravery  of  it;  not  one  woman  in  a  thousand 
would  have  done  it." 

Barbara  stopped  before  him  at  a  little  distance,  her 
hands  still  folded  on  her  heart — her  face  irradiant,  and 
as  their  eyes  met,  he  read  the  unconscious  revelation  of 
her  heart  in  hers. 

"  Good  Lord!  "  he  groaned,  "  '  'tis  loving  time  with 
her,  and  like  Titania  her  eyes  have  chanced  to  open  on  an 
ass.'  '  Nevertheless  there  was  nothing  cynic  in  his  large 
comprehension  of  this  passionate  pure-eyed  child.  He 
thought  of  her  more  humanly  than  he  had  ever  expected 
to  think  of  womankind  again.  She  was  just  a  dear  little 
innocent  child!  But  not  for  him  her  dearness!  In  hum 
blest  sincerity  he  mutely  proffered  her  the  best  he  had  to 
give:  respect,  and  largess  of  parental  gratitude;  and 
plain  as  though  he  heard  the  words,  he  saw  her  outraged 
woman's  pride  repudiate  such  an  alms,  where  she  had 
royal  gifts  to  offer. 

She  stood  quite  still,  shamed  and  hurt  to  the  tender  soul 
of  her  by  the  chill  of  his  grave  kindliness.  The  rose  of 
love  died  out  of  the  small  pale  face,  but  the  sweet  lips  did 


CHAPTER  NINE  153 

not  tremble,  nor  the  slender  fingers  on  the  quivering  heart, 
and  the  brave  eyes  looked  at  him,  and  mocked  to  hide 
their  pain,  as  pride  arose  in  quick  defence  against  him, 
herself,  and  all  the  malevolent  maze  of  things  created. 

"  Any  woman  in  a  thousand  would  have  acted  as  I  did! 
It  was  merely  an  automatic  impulse  for  the  preservation 
of  the  species.  There  was  no  question  of  bravery."  The 
gall  tinged  this  evasion  of  his  gratitude,  and  Abijah's 
smile  was  that  good  one  so  few  people  ever  saw.  It  showed 
the  real  man  beneath  the  cynic's  mask.  He  could  have 
shouted  for  the  pluck  and  the  ready  self-defence  of  this 
slight  creature. 

'  That  sounds  perfectly  scientific,  but  my  personal  ex 
perience  shows  the  average," — he  began  largely. 

'  Your  personal  experience  has  been  prejudicial  to 
the  average,  if  your  ratio  is  only  one  to  a  thousand," 
sharply. 

Abijah's  open  gaze  closed  to  the  level  of  his  usual  out 
look.  How  should  a  girl  like  this  know  to  strike  so  un 
swervingly?  He  shrugged  his  shoulders  expressively. 

11  Nevertheless,  I  cannot  change  the  formula  of  my 
thanks  for  your  service,"  he  said. 

"  And  I  cannot  submit  to  the  solitude  of  a  minority 
unit,  notwithstanding  the  glory  of  the  thing.  So  here's  an 
impasse.  Suppose  you  see  if  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  is  dead. 
The  idea  has  just  occurred  to  me,"  said  Barbara. 

Abijah  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"By  Jove!  I  had  forgotten  Emily!"  he  said,  and 
strode  into  the  house,  Rob  close  at  heel.  Barbara  leaned 
against  the  pillar  he  had  left  and  turned  her  face  to  the 
rain. 

"  Oh,  you  fool!  you  fool!  you  fool!  "  she  thought  with 
utter  self-contempt,  and  the  bitterness,  the  folly  of  a  love 
unsought  stung,  as  it  ever  stings  a  woman's  heart.  Youth, 
however,  is  incredulous  of  pain,  disbelieves  the  reality  at 


i54  THE  PANG-YANGER 

first,  and  Barbara  was  not  wholly  without  sustaining  ex 
pectations  of  the  future.  However,  she  could  not  endure 
the  solitude  of  her  present  reflections,  and  wandered  rest 
lessly  into  the  house. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  had  gone  to  cover  wet  and  arose 
steaming,  as  from  a  Russian  bath,  red,  rumpled,  and 
utterly  dishevelled :  but  she  shrank  back  from  her  brother's 
grimy  offer  of  assistance,  and  looked  in  amazement  at  the 
extraordinary  appearance  of  her  two  companions,  who, 
having  been  oblivious  of  appearances  for  some  little  time, 
were  recalled  to  the  consideration  of  them  in  confusion. 

"  Well,  I  never  saw  such  a  looking  couple  as  you 
are,"  repeated  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff,  reverting  to  the  subject, 
after  hearing  an  expurgated  story  of  the  storm  from 
Abijah.  Her  own  insulation  had  been  effectual,  and  she 
would  have  considered  Barbara  and  her  brother  rather 
mad  in  professing  a  preference  for  the  lightning,  if  she 
had  believed  them. 

"  It  didn't  hurt"  Rob  explained. 

'  You  can  certainly  effect  a  great  improvement  in  your 
personal  appearance,  'Bijah,  by  washing  your  face  and 
hands,  even  if  all  your  clothing  is  smoked  up,  but  Bar 
bara  !  "  She  was  helpless  of  suggestion  for  the  bare- 
armed  bizarre  figure  in  the  gorgeous  shawl  and  tattered 
skirts. 

"  Her  face  is  dirty,  too,  an'  she  looks  like  a  Dago," 
said  Rob,  taking  an  impartial  observation. 

"  Rob!  "  said  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  reprovingly,  and  Bar 
bara  looked  rueful. 

"  Is  it?  "  she  demanded  in  consternation. 

"  It  is!  "  said  Abijah  dispassionately.  "  But  don't  you 
care !  It's  really  quite  in  character  with  Rob's  descrip 
tion.  All  you  need  is  a  tambourine." 

"  Or  a  baby!  "  said  Rob,  who  inherited  the  faculty  of 
observation,  and  had  seen  the  Italians  in  the  village. 


CHAPTER  NINE  155 

There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  laugh,  and  Barbara  joined 
them. 

"  Can't  you  get  her  a  basin  of  water  and  a  towel, 
'Bijah?  "  asked  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff,  sweetly  oblivious  of  her 
own  dishevelment. 

"  Recrimination,  my  dear  sister,"  said  Abijah  nobly,  "  is 
a  thing  I  much  despise.  But  "  —he  stooped,  and  lifting 
from  the  floor  a  long  fair  tress  of  hair,  held  it  suspended 
toward  his  horrified  relative —  "  in  the  words  of  our  ex 
pressive  youth,  Emily,  '  you're  another.'  '  He  tossed  the 
"  switch  "  into  his  sister's  lap  and  retired  precipitately  in 
search  of  toilet  appurtenances. 

'  'Bijah!  "  gasped  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff,  clapping  a  dis 
tracted  hand  to  her  denuded  poll,  and  Rob  stared  in  open- 
mouthed  astonishment. 

"  Did  it — come  off  "  Abijah  heard  him  ask,  and  has 
tened  his  retreat  to  join  in  Barbara's  peal  of  infectious 
laughter. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  twisted  up  her  hair,  and  made  a  futile 
effort  to  smooth  out  the  wrinkles  in  her  gown.  Her  com 
plaisance  with  the  situation  of  affairs  between  Barbara 
and  Abijah  obviated  all  personal  considerations.  Never 
had  she  seen  Abijah  so  natural  and  at  ease  with  any  girl, 
and  Barbara  Hurst  was  such  an  exceptionally  nice  girl. 
Hopes  for  her  brother's  social  regeneration  waxed  warm 
as  she  mentally  reviewed  the  stirring  events  of  the  after 
noon. 

"  As  a  chaperon,  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff,  you  are  a  fraud!  " 
said  Barbara,  rubbing  away  at  her  features  with  Abijah's 
handkerchief. 

'*  I  can't  help  it,"  replied  her  companion  with  shame 
less  unconcern.  "  Where  did  you  get  that  handkerchief?  " 

Barbara  stopped  grooming  and  held  up  the  yard  of 
cambric  by  the  corners.  One  episode  had  been  omitted 
in  Mr.  Bead's  account. 


i56  THE  PANG-YANGER 

u  I  was  rather  hysterical  after  the  fire  was  out,  and  your 
brother  supplied  me  with  all  this  to  dry  a  tear  or  so.  If  he 
would  give  me  one  more  I  could  construct  a  whole  suit. 
Poor  man !  He  was  simply  distracted  when  my  dress  be 
gan  to  go.  The  dressmaker  evidently  knew  what  she 
was  about  when  she  put  a  good  quality  of  silk  in  the  lin 
ings,  and  I  was  sustained  by  a  confidence  which  must  have 
appeared  brazen  to  him,"  and  Barbara  laughed  softly  in 
the  remembrance. 

"  It  was  a  wonder  he  did  not  take  to  the  woods.  You 
had  met  my  brother  before,  hadn't  you?"  queried  Mrs. 
Brinkerhoff,  who  had  heard  a  rumour  of  the  depot 
episode,  and  was  eager  for  details,  which  Barbara  was  not 
inclined  to  furnish. 

"  We  have  had  casual  equestrian  encounters,  but  no 
formal  introduction,"  she  replied,  and  welcomed  Rob, 
who  came  in  with  a  towel  draped  across  his  shoulders, 
carrying  in  both  hands,  very  carefully,  a  large  tin  wash 
basin  of  water. 

Barbara  performed  her  ablutions,  thankful  for  the  com 
parative  privacy  afforded  by  her  host's  absence,  but  she 
refused  to  lay  aside  her  handkerchief  and  appear  decol 
lete,  in  her  dress  lining,  as  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  suggested. 
The  soft  tobacco-scented  folds  of  silk  suggested  a  caress; 
she  could  not  part  with  it,  and  when  Rob  had  removed  the 
towel  and  basin,  and  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  settled  down  to  de 
liberate,  if  subtle  quizzing,  the  girl  in  self-defence  fell 
to  browsing  around  the  room,  among  Abijah's  books,  and 
answered  absently. 

The  books,  a  goodly  number,  were  ranged  in  handy 
places  where  a  man  could  reach  them  easily  from  desk  or 
fireplace,  without  rising:  and  some  were  on  the  floor  and 
chairs,  and  had  that  familiar  air  of  use  which  tells  of  fel 
lowship. 

"  Your  brother's  tastes  are  catholic,"  she  observed,  and 


CHAPTER  NINE  157 

flushed  as  her  companion  looked  surprised.  "  I  beg  par 
don,  but  I  never  can  help  looking  at  books,"  she  added 
apologetically. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  glanced  vaguely  at  the  volumes  whose 
titles  ranged  from  the  stud-book  to  Guizot,  and  from  one 
Spencer  to  the  other. 

"  Oh,  yes,  we  all  read  a  great  deal,"  she  said  com- 
plaisantly,  and  Barbara  felt  that  she  had  done  the  family 
intellect  injustice,  therefore. 

14  Do  you  read  Spencer?  "  she  enquired,  turning  the 
leaves  of  "  First  Principles,"  that  lay  face  down  upon  the 
desk;  and  Abijah  paused  in  the  doorway,  joyfully  appre 
hending  a  slight  misunderstanding  between  his  guests. 

"Spenser!  Oh,  that's  very  hard  to  read,"  said  Mrs. 
Brinkerhoff  languidly,  and  Abijah  beamed  upon  his  sister 
with  the  joy  of  an  overgrown  Puck.  Barbara's  eyes  were 
on  familiar  headlines,  and  she  did  not  see  him. 

'  Yes,"  she  said  eagerly,  "  unless  each  word  is  digested 
as  you  go  along,  '  chaos  is  come.' ' 

'  Yes  ?  I  have  only  read  it  a  little.  Enough  to  get  the 
style,  you  know." 

"Style!"  said  Barbara,  amazed.  "Why,  he  hasn't 
any!" 

"  Why — the  rhythm,"  began  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff,  but  her 
brother's  great  laugh  filled  the  low-ceiled  room. 

"  Oh,  you  mean  Herbert  Spencer!  I  did  not  suppose 
you  read  those  dreadful  agnostic  works,  Barbara,  though 
I  might  have  known  you  would  find  no  others  here." 

Her  reprimand,  administered  as  a  bounden  Christian 
duty,  was  pleasantly  void  of  the  usual  acrimony  of  such 
protests.  If  Abijah  would  go  to  hell,  it  greatly  mitigated 
her  sisterly  regret,  that  he  should  go  in  good  society.  The 
Hursts  were  indubitably  the  social-elect — here 

Abijah  dropped  into  the  big  chair  at  the  desk  beside 
Barbara.  It  did  not  occur  to  him  to  see  her  seated  first, 


i58  THE  PANG-YANGER 

and  she  only  smiled  at  the  omission,  and  remained  stand 
ing. 

"  Emily,"  he  said  solemnly,  "  I  hope  you  will  not  feel  it 
laid  upon  you,  as  a  '  member,'  to  publish  Miss  Hurst's 
casual  admission  of  dabbling  in  the  Black  Arts.  She  is 
young  to  suffer  persecution;  and  they'll  be  after  you  with 
rack  and  thumbscrews  if  your  practice  comes  to  light." 
He  wagged  his  head  at  Barbara  warningly. 

"  Any  one  can  read  those  works  without  accepting 
their  teaching,  I  suppose,"  said  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  toler 
antly. 

"  I  don't  see  how  any  rational  person  can,"  said  Bar 
bara  trenchantly,  while  Abijah  washed  his  hands  of  her 
temerity.  He  was  vastly  amused  by  the  philosophy  of 
the  girl  who  the  moment  previous  had  been  dissolved  in 
tears  upon  his  arm;  whose  eyes  had  betrayed  a  most  un- 
philosophical  emotion  for  an  oaf  like  him.  He  shook  his 
head  at  her  again  derisively. 

"  Do  you  court  martyrdom?  Because  Hurstville  will 
accommodate  you  if  you  exploit  your  heretical  views:  you 
may  take  my  personal  experience  for  that"  he  said  grimly. 

"  Then  you  accept  the  scientific  data !  "  said  the  girl 
with  a  little  glow  of  scholastic  sympathy,  but  Abijah 
promptly  cut  away  the  common  ground  between  them. 

"  Oh,  when  /  rant  and  foam  at  the  mouth  it's  thoroughly 
understood  to  be  an  awful  warning,  not  an  example.  But 
with  a  Hurst — noblesse  oblige,  you  know.  It  isn't  enough 
for  you  to  be  right !  you've  got  to  seem  so !  social  preserva 
tion  demands  it!  "  he  exulted  over  her  from  his  inacces 
sible  retreat  in  "no  man's  land";  and  he  reached  auto 
matically  for  a  cigar,  bit  the  end  off  in  his  strong  white 
teeth,  and  lighted  it.  Barbara  had  gone  to  his  head,  if 
not  to  his  heart,  and  notwithstanding  the  general  dank  dis 
comfort  of  the  situation,  his  sister  saw  he  was  enjoying 
himself  in  his  peculiar  way,  and  craftily  effaced  herself 


CHAPTER  NINE  159 

with  Rob  at  the  other  end  of  the  room,  that  nothing 
might  distract  her  brother's  hopeful  interest  in  this 
"  nice  "  girl. 

'  You  are  ultra-conservative — for  others,"  commented 
Barbara,  resenting  his  brusque  sarcasm. 

'  Yes,"  he  answered  imperturbably,  "  /  have  a  good 
digestion.  There  was  a  man  down  in  Tarshish,  some  time 
ago  (and  by  the  way,  he  wasn't  afraid  of  the  strenuous 
life),  who  found  the  meats  offered  to  idols  a  wholesome 
and  satisfying  diet — for  himself.  But  the  stuff  fermented 
on  weak  stomachs,  and  raised  the  devil  there  and  else 
where  (excuse  me).  So  he  didn't  advertise  it  as  a  health 
food." 

"  And  because  it  intoxicates  the  rabble,  must  /  for 
sooth  '  eat  no  more  meat '  till  the  day  I  die?  "  asked  Bar 
bara  indignantly. 

"  Well,"  drawled  Abijah,  "  if  it  makes  you  restive,  and 
you  get  to  champing  on  the  bit,  I  should  say,  the  diet  was 
just  a  little  stimulating  for  you." 

Barbara's  eyes  danced. 

"  I  certainly  do  '  champ,'  don't  you?  "  she  laughed.  "  I 
come  of  a  controversial  stock." 

"  Me?  "  Abijah  bit  down  on  his  cigar  and  suddenly 
threw  it  out  of  the  window.  The  confidential  tone  re 
called  him  to  realities,  and  he  looked  at  her  from  a  sombre 
distance. 

''  It  ought  to  be  accounted  unto  me  for  righteousness, 
that  I  have  never  allowed  my  own  personal  convictions  to 
be  prejudicial  to  the  weaker  brethren.  I  '  point  a  moral,' 
every  clip;  a  humble  but  perhaps  necessary  function  in  our 
present  stage  of  civilisation.  I  leave  it  to  you  to  '  adorn 
the  tale.'  '  He  arose  with  a  slight  mocking  inclination  of 
his  tall  head,  as  a  horn  was  softly  tooted  from  the  kitchen. 
There  was  a  suggested  relief  in  his  alacrity;  and  Barbara's 
quick  resentment  thereat  merged  into  the  dull  subconscious- 


160  THE  PANG-YANGER 

ness  of  pain  which  had  all  along  underlain  the  happiness 
of  being  with  him.  He  had,  then,  been  but  tolerant  of  an 
unavoidable  guest !  an  impression  her  host  intended  to 
convey,  being  of  no  mood  to  foster  the  incipient  infatua 
tion  he  could  not  avoid  recognising. 

"  Emily,  I  know  you  are  dying  for  your  tea ;  I  told  Pete 
to  hurry,  but  he  had  to  swab  up  the  kitchen  before  you  go 
out.  The  boys  slopped  a  good  deal  of  water  around." 

"  Oh,  there  is  no  hurry!  We  are  not  going  home  until 
after  dark,  looking  as  we  do." 

'  You  most  certainly  are,  my  dear  sister.  I've  sent 
Gid  Storms  down  the  road  to  see  if  it's  washed  out,  but  I 
shall  not  allow  you  to  drive  down  after  dark,"  replied  Mr. 
Bead,  leading  the  way  to  the  kitchen. 

"  I  wish  I  had  gone  out  in  the  rain  and  laid  my  head 
against  a  stone  wall,  instead  of  his  arm.  He  is  the  most 
hateful  man  I  ever  knew!  "  thought  Barbara  passionately. 

But  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  felt  that  the  storm  was  a  special 
interposition  of  Providence  in  answer  to  her  many  prayers 
for  a  wayward  brother;  and  Abijah  sat  down  on  the  wet 
porch  with  a  sigh  of  exhaustion,  as  they  drove  away,  and 
wondered  why  a  man  of  reasonably  good  intent  should  be 
so  conspicuously  singled  out  by  chance  for  unfortunate  en 
tanglement  with  the  sex. 


X 

ONE  morning  Barbara  sat  down  before  her  dresser, 
and  steadily  stared  her  last  dollar  in  the  face, 
having  on  the  previous  night  pinned  it  neatly  out 
on  the  pincushion,  for  the  express  purpose  of  focussing  her 
attention  upon  her  impecuniosity.  The  crisis  had  im 
pended  for  as  long  as  she  could  remember,  but  while 
Colonel  Haygood  lived,  and  devised  light-hearted  expedi 
ents  of  relief  (temporary,  of  course,  and  entailing  future 
reckoning) ,  the  problem  in  no  wise  disturbed  their  peace 
of  mind;  had  rather  tended  to  enhance  their  gaiety,  as  a 
spur  to  a  merry  rivalry  of  ingenious  schemes  for  circum 
venting  the  restraint  of  poverty.  Alone,  in  a  land  of  a 
monetary  conscience,  the  consideration  became  serious, 
and  Barbara  settled  her  round  elbows  determinedly  on  the 
bureau  before  that  miserable  dollar-bill,  and  clutched  the 
curly  hair  upon  her  brow,  in  a  frantic  attempt  to  finance 
her  affairs  before  breakfast,  and  have  the  wretched  matter 
done  with. 

'  What  in  mercy's  name  is  the  matter?  "  enquired  Zillah, 
catching  sight  of  the  half-clad  figure  in  desperate  con 
templation,  from  the  doorway,  as  she  passed. 

Barbara  released  one  hand  from  her  dishevelled  locks, 
and  picking  up  a  card  of  invitation,  extended  it  to  her 
cousin. 

"  Come  in,  I  want  to  talk  to  you,"  she  said  darkly, 
and  Zillah,  immaculate  from  her  crown  of  smooth,  shining 
braids  to  the  tips  of  her  neatly  blackened  shoes,  crossed 
the  room  and  took  the  card. 

161 


i62  THE  PANG-YANGER 

44  Oh,  yes;  Mrs.  Brinkerhotf's  reception?  What  of 
it?  "  she  enquired,  and  Barbara  threw  herself  back  in  her 
chair,  and  pointed  to  the  bill  on  the  pincushion,  with  a 
gesture  so  eloquent  that  Zillah  had  no  need  of  further 
question. 

The  faint,  not  unkindly  smile  relaxed  her  tightly  closed 
lips.  "  I  appreciate  the  situation;  fortunately  I  can  let 
you  have  a  few  more,  of  that  denomination,  if  that  will 
help  you  out  for  this  especial  occasion,"  she  said  gener 
ously. 

'  Thank  you,  but  it  isn't  the  special  occasion  that  trou 
bles  me;  I  can  improvise  for  almost  any  special  occasion, 
give  me  a  fig-leaf  and  a  pin :  I  hate  to  bore  you,  Zillah, 
but  will  you  tell  me  what  to  do?  You  saw  my  letters 
before  I  came  north?" 

'  Yes —  In  her  own  confusion  Barbara  did  not 

notice  Zillah's. 

'Then  you  know  I  haven't  any  money;  Cousin  Dick 
wrote  Mr.  Phelps  frankly  of  the  colonel's  unfortunate  in 
vestments.  We  are  not  financiers,  you  know.  What  am 
I  expected  to  do  now  I'm  here?  I  dare  not  steal,  to  beg 
I  am  ashamed,  and  Donna  and  Mam'  Lilly  are  my  only 
assets.  Either  of  them  would  object  to  being  sold,  and 
unless  I  dance  in  the  streets,  I'm  sure  I  don't  know  any 
way  to  earn  money." 

"And  hasn't  Aunt  Felicite  given  you  any  yet?"  Zil- 
lah's  exasperation  was  but  half  suppressed. 

"  Not  a  red !  She  has  given  me  her  diamonds :  but  I 
have  an  impression  I  am  not  expected  to  sell  or  pawn 
them;  I'd  write  to  Cousin  Dick  but  for  respect  of  the  salt, 
and  he  would  come  up,  and  he  oughtn't,  for  he's  been  to 
enough  expense  sending  Donna.  Should  I  see  Mr. 
Phelps?" 

Zillah's  lips  were  closed  again  in  a  straight,  faint  line. 

"  Aunt    Felicite    is   the    most    absolutely    irresponsible 


CHAPTER  TEN  163 

woman !  It's  my  fault,  I  suppose,  but  I  did  think  she 
would  think  of  you  without  being  expressly  reminded  to 
do  so.  There  is  not  a  superabundance  here,  and  I  have 
found  I  had  to  give  her  a  certain  sum :  for  '  whosoever 
asketh,  receiveth  '  as  long  as  she  has  a  penny.  Probably 
Father  Varney  made  a  requisition  first,  and  she  may  not 
have  a  cent  by  this  time." 

"  I  cannot  imagine  myself  attempting  to  outmanoeuvre 
Father  Varney,"  said  Barbara  haughtily. 

"  It  will  not  be  necessary,  when  I  remind  her  to  give 
you  a  certain  sum  as  soon  as  she  gets  her — er — money. 
It  comes  quarterly,  you  know.  It  will  be  but  a  very  small 
sum,  I'm  afraid,  Barbara." 

"  I  could  rob  a  church  without  compunction,"  mused 
Barbara,  "  but  I  would  not  like  to  detain  Grandfather 
Hurst  in  purgatory  a  moment  longer  than  is  absolutely 
necessary,  and  Father  Varney  might  curtail  the  masses  for 
his  soul,  if  I  appropriated  the  church  funds.  Why  did  the 
dear  urge  me  to  come  here  to  be  an  embarrassment?  We 
should  have  managed  somehow  at  home.  We  never 
asked  her  aid." 

"  She  sent  for  you  because,  as  you  know  perfectly  well, 
it  is  the  delight  of  her  heart  to  have  you  here.  I  am 
sorry  your  expectations  are  not  being  fully  realised." 

Unconscious  of  any  extenuating  personal  bitterness  on 
Zillah's  part,  Barbara's  eyes  blazed  at  what  seemed  a 
gratuitous  and  deliberate  insult.  Her  impetuous  repudi 
ation  was  emphasised  by  gleaming  gestures  of  her  bare 
arms  and  hands. 

"  That  was  why  I  hesitated  to  come  north !  That 
was  what  I  feared!  I  am  glad  Maman  has  no  money 
—glad — glad!  If  Maman's  is  gone  too,  no  one  can  ques 
tion  the  colonel's  management  of  mine.  I  have  feared 
the  imputation  of  sordid  motives,  but  I  did  not  expect  it 
from  you!  " 


1 64  THE  PANG-YANGER 

The  passionate  resentment  disconcerted  Zillah,  who, 
however,  had  never  apologised  in  set  terms  to  any  one  in 
her  life. 

"  Unless  we  were  expected  to  keep  back  the  remnant 
of  the  estate,  when  Aunt  Felicite  is  gone,  I  fail  to  under 
stand  your  '  fear  '  of  being  thought  mercenary  in  coming 
north !  I  am  sure  we  all  felt  you  were  giving  up  a  great 
deal  to  come  and  live  among  infirm  old  women,"  she  said 
coldly. 

"  You  all  knew  I  had  no  home.  I  explained  every 
thing,  but  I  was  told,  have  been  told — nothing!  At 
home  we  do  not  think  of  relatives  as  strangers,  even  if  we 
have  never  seen  them,  and  surely  some  one  should  explain 
things.  If  Maman's  means  are  limited — I  see  now  that's 
why  you  sold  the  team  when  Donna  came ! — I  tell  you, 
Zillah,  I  won't  have  it:  you  shall  not  do  me  this  way:  it 
puts  me  in  an  abominably  selfish  position,  and  I'm  not 
selfish!" 

Zillah  met  the  girl's  indignant  eyes  with  a  baffling  gaze, 
and  answered  in  a  curiously  impersonal  way: 

''  I  do  not  pretend  to  be  the  best  possible  manager  for 
Aunt  Felicite,  but  I  am  all  the  one  there  is;  and  I  am  doing 
the  best  I  can,  for  Aunt  Felicite.  If  you  do  or  say  any 
thing  to  make  her  realise  the  financial  situation — but  you 
shall  not!  You  know  the  result  of  agitating  her! 
And  whether  you  like  it  or  not,  you  have  got  to  submit 
to  having  a  good  time,  because  nothing  else  will  satisfy 
Aunt  Felicite." 

Zillah  relegated  Barbara  to  this  position  of  helpless 
privilege  with  undisguised  satisfaction.  She  grimly  ar 
rogated  the  duties,  and  abrogated  the  privileges  of  the 
house  of  her  adoption,  made  it  unmistakable  she  was  bent 
on  giving  as  much  and  accepting  as  little  as  she  could  pos 
sibly  manage,  and  Barbara,  who  might  have  suffered 
martyrdom  (but  only  if  she  could  not  help  it),  had  wit- 


CHAPTER  TEN  165 

nessed  with  impatient  wonder  the  daily  exhibition  of  that 
eager,  needless  self-immolation  with  which  the  Puritan's 
descendant  is  prone  to  afflict  an  inoffensive  and  helpless 
beneficiary.  Barbara's  insouciance  naturally  provoked 
Zillah  to  heap  the  fagots  higher,  and  the  smoke  of  the 
sacrifice  rendered  obscure  to  each  the  sterling  qualities  of 
the  other. 

"  Some,"  said  Barbara  whimsically,  "  '  have  pleasure 
thrust  upon  them.'  You  have  convinced  Maman  you  enjoy 
teaching  music;  I  can  make  her  think  it's  the  jolliest  thing 
in  life  to  dance  on  the  streets.  Picturesque,  you  know, 
with  a  tambourine,  and  a  handkerchief  like  that  one  of 
Mr.  Bead's." 

u  Barbara,  you  positively  must  not  suggest  doing  any 
thing.  I  know  Aunt  Felicite  better  than  you  do.  It 
would  grieve  her  to  death,  and  besides,  there  is  no  need, 
now,  of  anything  but  a  little  economy.  When  she's  gone, 
you  may  do  as  you  like." 

"  Oh,  Zillah  Hurst,  what  a  fraud  you  are!  " 
'What  do  you  mean?"  asked  Zillah,  startled. 
4  Why  do  you  act  like  you  wouldn't  care,  except  for 
Maman,  if  I  did  dance  through  Hurstville  with  a  tam 
bourine?     You  would,  you  know  you  would — you  dear! 
I  wish  you  wouldn't  be  so  good!      The  contrast  is  op 
pressive.      I  don't  want  to  be  good  all  the  time." 

Zillah  looked  relieved. 

"  Oh,  I  do  not  think  there  is  any  immediate  danger  of 
translation,"  she  said  coldly,  moving  toward  the  door  in 
deprecation  of  Barbara's  effusiveness.  ;'  But  I  hope  you 
will  take  my  advice,  because  I  know  I  am  right."  Bar 
bara  looked  after  her  thoughtfully. 

'  That's  a  great  thing,  to  be  sure  of ;  as  I  seldom  am, 
I'll  do  as  you  say;  only," — Zillah  waited,  her  hand  on 
the  door-knob — "  it  just  occurs  to  me;  you  are  not  running 
this  establishment  on  your  own  money,  are  you?  " 


1 66  THE  PANG-YANGER 

There  was  a  scarcely  perceptible  hesitation,  and  Zillah 
faced  around. 

u  But  1  am — partly;  Aunt  Helen's  part  and  mine," 
she  admitted  reluctantly.  "  Aunt  Felicite  did  enough 
for  me,  giving  me  my  music,  you  know.  I  am  abun 
dantly  able,  thanks  to  her,  to  support  myself  and  Aunt 
Helen,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  I  should  not  do 
it." 

Barbara  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief,  and  so  did  Zillah,  as 
the  implication  of  this  statement  was  unquestioningly  ac 
cepted.  "  If  you  want  the  details  of  Aunt  Felicite's  af 
fairs,  you  can  see  Mr.  Phelps,  you  know,"  Zillah  added, 
knowing  the  bluff  a  safe  one,  for  Barbara  was  almost  as 
unsuspicious  as  her  grandmother. 

"  The  idea !  "  she  exclaimed,  repudiating  a  suggested 
interference ;  nevertheless  Zillah  determined  OH  a  precau 
tionary  visit  to  the  lawyer  herself.  Madam  Hurst's  re 
sources  had  been  exhausted  several  years  before,  and  Zil 
lah  had  secretly  supplied  the  deficit  by  her  own  exertions, 
with  Mr.  Phelps'  reluctant  connivance.  It  was  an  oppor 
tunity  of  retaliation  for  the  humiliation  of  her  own  aching 
sense  of  gratitude,  and  her  real  generosity  and  fondness 
for  Madam  Hurst  were  marred  by  the  ungracious  disposi 
tion  to  place  her  unconscious  benefactor  under  immeasura 
bly  greater  obligation  than  she  herself  had  accepted.  If  the 
third  and  fourth  generation  were  by  necessity  included  in 
the  operation  of  her  design,  so  much  the  more  effectually 
should  she  discharge  her  debt.  A  subconsciousness  of 
selfishness,  an  instinctive  knowledge  that  either  Madam 
Hurst  or  Barbara  would  have  risen  to  a  fairer  height, 
made  her  secret  triumph  bitter-sweet.  Zillah  would,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  and  a  part  of  the  day's  work,  have 
died  for  any  one  she  felt  had  need  of  such  an  offering;  and 
she  would  then,  by  preference,  have  died  a  second  time  to 
escape  expressions  of  gratitude. 


CHAPTER  TEN  167 

"  Girls!  "  said  a  low,  admonitory  voice  below,  "  when 
are  you  coming  to  breakfast?  " 

;'  Right  away,  Aunt  Helen,"  Zillah  responded,  in  the 
hushed  voice  the  family  maintained  while  Madam  slept. 

"Don't  wait,  Zillah;  I'll  dress  in  a  jiffy,"  said  Bar 
bara,  and  Zillah  left  the  room. 

Before  she  descended  to  breakfast,  Barbara,  as  usual, 
lingered  a  moment  at  her  window,  for  a  look  at  the  moun 
tain,  now  in  the  gorgeous  panoply  of  autumn.  Against 
the  pale  blue  morning  sky,  the  gold  of  birches  glinted 
amid  ranks  of  serried  firs  and  junipers,  the  maples  flamed 
above  great  sanguinary  blotches  of  the  sumach,  and  pur 
ple  asters  blurred  the  spaces  on  the  slope  between  grey 
rocks  and  vivid  herbal  tints.  Screened  by  the  slow- 
swaying  boughs  of  an  old  maple,  Barbara's  window 
framed  the  daily  vision  of  her  girlish  dreams.  Through 
it  she  had  watched  the  quaint,  low-gabled  farm-house  on 
the  uplands  break  into  blossom,  as  the  gnarled  old  apple- 
trees  wreathed  over  it  their  flowering  branches  in  the 
spring;  had  lost  it  for  a  while  in  summer's  heavy  foliage, 
save  for  a  thin  curl  of  smoke  above  the  treetops,  and 
now,  through  the  thinning  leaves  of  autumn,  saw  it  emerge 
again,  a  staunch  old  rooftree,  grey  with  a  century's 
storms,  as  homely  and  indigenous  a  growth  as  was  its 
owner's  love  for  it.  The  old  "  Bead  place  "  was  in  the 
bleakest,  coldest  spot  in  all  the  county;  not  a  gale  had 
missed  it  in  a  hundred  years,  but  in  the  girl's  eyes,  wistful 
with  dreams,  it  was  just  the  choicest  spot  in  all  the  world 
— Abijah's  home.  She  had  distant  glimpses  of  him,  in 
gravity-defying  places,  for  the  ancestral  acres  were  on  a 
grade  not  far  from  perpendicular,  and  on  the  previous 
day  he  had  been  ploughing  a  parlous  hillside,  in  the  sight 
of  all  the  world.  As  Barbara  put  aside  her  curtains  now, 
the  hazardous  operation  had  been  resumed  betimes,  and 
a  tiny  figure,  perched  on  one  plough  horse,  presumably 


1 68  THE  PANG- Y ANGER 

assisted  in  the  frugal  strife  to  wrest  a  living  from  the 
grudging  soil.  Ploughing  was  a  thing  which  Mr.  Bead 
apparently  enjoyed,  for  more  than  once  Barbara  had  been 
near  enough  to  catch  the  uplift  of  his  voice  in  a  lusty  lilt 
of  song;  often  some  old  long-metred  hymn  of  vigorous 
refrain,  whose  martial  rhythm  set  a  swinging  pace  along 
the  furrows,  notwithstanding  the  interjectional  measure  of 
the  time  he  kept.  The  primal  bond  between  us  and  the 
earth  had  this  man  by  the  heel.  He  loved  the  farm  and 
all  the  homely,  sane  realities  of  it,  and  spent  his  leisure 
there.  As  the  seasons  passed  and  the  year  rounded  to 
maturity,  the  unseen  girlish  face  watching  him  from  the 
valley  grew  lovely  with  the  growth  of  an  absorbing 
passion.  Barbara  ceased  to  struggle  against  the  inevi 
table;  if  he  were  unworthy  so  was  she,  for  whatever  he 
was,  her  heart  had  gone  out  to  him  irrevocably.  Not  for 
the  world  would  she  have  had  her  secret  glimpsed,  but  in 
a  half-involuntary  gesture  of  surrender  now,  she  out 
stretched  her  arms  to  him.  The  overwhelming  sweetness 
of  her  emotion  shamed  her  to  instant  repression  of  it,  and 
she  turned  away,  not  all  unhappy,  or  unsatisfied  by  furtive 
glimpses  of  the  man  she  loved. 

Softly  radiant  from  her  morning's  vision,  she  fronted 
Zillah  at  the  table,  and  the  elder  woman  studied  her  in 
fresh  amaze  at  her  mutations.  She  had  left  a  dishevelled 
and  defiant  figure  facing  penury,  above  stairs,  and  now  the 
bien-etre  of  this  girl's  swimming  eyes,  and  dreamy  smile, 
was  quite  beyond  her  comprehension. 

'  You  look  quite — ecstatic,"  she  commented,  somewhat 
sympathetic  in  the  overflow  of  the  girl's  lovely  mood,  and 
Barbara  laughed,  a  low  note  of  the  pure  joy  of  life,  which 
our  elders  have  forgotten  and  regard  askance,  at  times. 

"  It's  the  dance;  Maude  says  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  always 
has  up  an  orchestra,  and  there  will  be  a  platform  on  the 
lawn  for  dancing!  I  hope  it's  fair!  What  bliss!  "  and 


CHAPTER  TEN  169 

the  girl  exaggerated  her  anticipated  pleasure  in  a  generous 
effort  to  enthuse  her  staid  companions. 

"  What  wicked  extravagance!  "  interjected  Mrs.  Hurst, 
who  invariably  assumed  an  attitude  of  general  denuncia 
tion  in  the  face  of  any  special  festivity.  ''  I  can't  under 
stand  how  a  member,  like  Emily  Bead,  dare  countenance, 
let  alone  encourage  such  defiance  of  the  church  discipline." 

"  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  understands  herself  quite  thor 
oughly.  She  has  given  those  entertainments  ever  since 
she  was  married,  and  I  have  not  observed  that  her  stand 
ing  is  questioned,"  said  Zillah  quietly. 

"  Well,  it  ought  to  be,"  declared  Mrs.  Hurst,  with  the 
irritating  finality  which  challenged  any  but  the  meek. 
Zillah,  herself  a  passive  member  of  the  same  robustious 
community  of  souls  as  her  aunt,  was  occasionally  moved 
to  a  private  protest  when  Mrs.  Hurst's  inflexible  propa 
ganda  disgusted  and  antagonised  Barbara;  but  to-day  the 
girl  seemed  buoyantly  oblivious  of  trivial  stings,  and 
Zillah  hoped  her  Aunt  Helen  might  desist,  but  had  no 
great  expectation  of  it. 

"  My  last  dance  was  with  the  colonel,"  Barbara  said  in 
dreamy  reminiscence.  "  It  was  at  the  Capitol  City  Club, 
and  he  was  the  finest  man  and  the  best  dancer  in  the  room. 
No  one  will  ever  get  my  step  as  he  did.  He  taught  me  to 
dance,  standing  on  the  table  by  him,  when  I  was  too  little 
to  reach  down  to." 

"  He  took  his  death  a  cold,  going  home  from  that  dance, 
didn't  he?"  Mrs.  Hurst  enquired  pleasantly,  and  Mam' 
Lilly,  who  was  passing  through  the  room,  stopped  sud 
denly  behind  Barbara  and  waited  for  her  answer. 

Zillah's  lips  shut  hard,  but  Barbara's  parted  in  a  smile 
of  polite,  conventional  incredulity,  which  was  as  a  red  rag 
to  a  bull.  Mrs.  Hurst  perfectly  understood  the  intangible 
accusation  of  rudeness,  and  resented  it  as  well  as  she  knew 
how.  Nothing  exasperated  her  as  much  as  the  subtile  in- 


i  yo  THE  PANG-YANGER 

definable  exhibition  of  superior  breeding,  and  Barbara 
used  it  with  the  relentless  precision  of  the  young  disputant, 
eager  to  score  a  point,  no  matter  where. 

On  this  occasion  she  tilted  back  her  head,  and  spoke  to 
the  great  black  woman  towering  over  her. 

"  Mam'  Lilly,"  she  drawled,  "  if  the  colonel  could  hear 
that  question  himself,  what  would  he  reply?  Precisely! 
What  would  he  reply?  Think!" 

Mam'  Lilly's  slumberous  dark  eyes  laughed  down  into 
the  light  orbs  raised  to  her,  then  rolled  prodigiously, 
and  fixed  themselves  on  Mrs.  Hurst,  who,  unable  at  the 
moment  to  voice  a  reproof  suited  to  the  occasion,  looked 
the  disapproval  she  felt  it  merited. 

"'Be  gad!  ma'am!'  Mam'  Lilly  broke  forth 
suddenly,  in  imitation  of  the  old  fire-eater's  pompous 
manner.  "  '  Be  gad!  ma'am;  any  gen'leman  who 
wouldn't  be  willing  to  die  fo'  de  sake  ob  dancing  with 
Miss  Barbara  Hurst,  deserved  to  be  shot,  ma'am!  an'  be 
gad!  I'd  take  pleasure  in  shooting  the  damn  rascal  my 
self,  ma'am! '  " 

Barbara's  lips  twitched.  "  Very  good.  That  would 
be  about  it.  You  needn't  wait—  She  turned  a 

shoulder  to  Mrs.  Hurst.  "  Do  people  dress  much  here, 
Zillah?" 

"  I  really  cannot  inform  you,  never  having  attended 
an  affair  of  the  kind."  Zillah  had  retreated  into  her 
shell,  but  Mrs.  Hurst  had  not. 

'  They  expose  their  nakedness  all  they  dare — if  that's 
what  yeou  mean  by  dressing;  I  should  call  it  undressing," 
said  the  old  lady  with  an  aggression  not  to  be  ignored  by 
one  of  the  same  belligerent  brood. 

"Oh,  decollete?  We  are  ashes  and  dust,  but  I  con 
fess  I  enjoy  a  chance  to  show  my  arms  and  shoulders. 
They  are — er — rather  nice — you  know,"  responded  Bar 
bara  wickedly. 


CHAPTER  TEN  171 

'  That's  no  reason  for  making  a  scandalous  display  of 
yeourself." 

"But  it  isn't  scandalous!  The  colonel  was  quite  a 
connoisseur  in  art,  and  he  assured  me  I  have  an  excellent 
figure,"  Barbara  persisted. 

"  And  I  suppose  Abijah  Bead  enjoyed  the  exhibition 
yeou  made  the  other  day." 

Barbara  flushed  hotly  from  brow  to  chin.  She  was 
exceeding  wroth,  and  yet,  there  was  a  queer,  tremulous 
gratification  in  having  Mr.  Bead  classed  with  the  colonel, 
even  in  the  criminal  calendar. 

"  '  Evil  to  him  who  evil  thinks,'  "  she  said  lightly. 
"  Colonel  Haygood's  status  was  beyond  cavil.  As  to 
your  o'd  neighbour's  son,  perhaps  you  know  best;  but 
if  my  elbows  had  hinged  forwards,  I  do  not  think  Mr. 
Bead  would  have  noticed  it.  This  is  a  wicked  world,  how 
ever  !  Most  of  your  neighbours  seem  more  or  less  dis 
reputable  !  I  shall  hie  me  to  a  nunnery." 

'  That  would  not  be  any  improvement.  I've  always 
heard  the  goings-on  in  those  places  beat  the  dancing  and 
card-playing,  and  drinking,  and  indecent  dressing  in  '  so 
ciety.'  Yeou  needn't  think,  Barbara,  that  I  am  going  to 
countenance  such  things  as  these,  no  matter  who  does 
them,"  said  the  uncompromising  old  woman  sternly. 

u  Perhaps  you  are  not  quite — er — conversant  with  the 
customs  prevailing  in  either  place,"  suggested  Barbara 
politely. 

"  Customs!  "  snorted  Mrs.  Hurst,  with  a  withering  in 
flection  on  the  word,  "customs!  I  guess  I  know  what 
yeour  '  customs  '  lead  to !  Would  yeou  bow  down  to  Baal 
because  it  was  custom!  " 

"  I  confess  I  never  saw  much  to  choose  between  Baal 
and  the  red-handed  Jehovah  of  the  half-savage  Israelites," 
retorted  Barbara,  suddenly  losing  patience  and  throwing 
down  the  gauntlet. 


172  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Mrs.  Hurst  was  always  ready  to  engage;  and  the  gleam 
of  battle  lit  the  sunken  caverns  of  her  eyes. 

"  Blasphemy!  "  she  said  in  an  awful  tone,  naming  the 
thing  with  unction.  "  I  should  think  yeou  would  be 
afraid  the  anger  of  the  Lord  would  strike  yeou  dead  in 
yeour  chair,  Barbara  Hurst!  " 

"  Oh!  if  I  believed  in  a  God  who  got  mad  at  a  little 
thing  like  that,  I  dare  say  I  should  be  in  a  blue  funk  all 
the  time.  But  I  don't,  you  see." 

'  Whether  yeou  believe  in  Him  or  not,  '  every  knee 
shall  bow  and  every  tongue  confess  the  Lord  He  is  God.'  ' 

"  I  shan't — unless  He  tortures  me  until  I  lose  my  rea 
son,  and  babble  senselessly.  Your  personal  fetish  is  as 
hideous  to  me  as  any  of  the  old  idols  out  in  the  hall." 

"  Infidel!  "  gasped  Mrs.  Hurst,  holding  up  protest 
ing  bony  palms  of  horror.  "  Yeou  are  worse  than  Inger- 
soll!  "  She  meant  a  more  ancient  personage,  but  used  a 
synonym  much  in  vogue  among  Christians  of  that  date. 

'  We  found  Colonel  Ingersoll  a  most  delightful  gentle 
man,  but  the  colonel  and  I  thought  him  limited — decidedly 
limited  in  his  outlook.  He  does  not  go  far  enough  to 
satisfy  the  scientific  mind,"  said  the  girl  airily. 

"  Stop !  "  cried  Mrs.  Hurst  in  a  deep  tone  of  authority; 
"  the  pit  yawns  before  yeou !  Take  heed — take  heed ! 
It  is  bottomless!  " 

Barbara  went  very  white  and  rose  from  the  table  with 
an  abruptness  which  betrayed  the  affectation  of  her  languid 
drawl. 

"  I  shouldn't  mind,  you  know,  at  any  other  hour,  but 
I  hate  to  taste  sulphur  in  the  coffee!  I'll  have  a  ride. 
And  you  may  consign  me  and  all  my  friends,  living  and 
dead,  to  everlasting  damnation  at  luncheon,  Aunt  Helen, 
and  I  shall  not  turn  a  hair.  I  shall  be  too  hungry,"  and  she 
sauntered  from  the  room.  Mrs.  Hurst  wept  angry  tears 
into  her  coffee,  but  drank  it  afterwards,  likewise  another 


CHAPTER  TEN  173 

cup,  and  munched  her  due  amount  of  toast,  while  Barbara 
upstairs  administered  self-castigation,  fasting.  She  threw 
herself  into  a  chair  before  the  window,  trembling  with 
anger,  and  miserably  watched  the  slow  progression,  back 
and  forth,  across  the  mountain  meadow.  She  was  deeply 
humiliated  by  her  own  lack  of  self-control,  and  did  not 
spare  herself. 

"Same  old  bigotry!"  she  thought  in  self-scorn.  'I 
could  rend  that  wretched  woman,  poor  old  thing!  And 
the  worst  of  it  is  I  wear  myself  to  a  frazzle  and  I  know  it 
does  not  matter,  and  she  honestly  believes  it  does;  tre 
mendously.  I  suppose  I  should  apologise."  The  last 
words  aloud  were  to  Zillah,  who  stood  beside  her  with  a 
supplementary  breakfast  neatly  arranged  upon  a  tray. 

"  Not  unless  you  wish  to  renew  the  scene.  She  would 
not  understand,"  replied  Zillah  drily.  "  An  apology 
confirms  a  sense  of  injury  in  Aunt  Helen." 

"  Merci!  But — I  might  well  have  left  the  room  be 
fore,  instead  of  after  answering  her." 

"  You  will  probably  have  frequent  opportunity  to  do 
so,  if  you  think  it's  practical." 

'That's  an  alluring  prospect!  Can't  you  make  her 
understand ' 

"  I  decline  to  attempt  to  make  Aunt  Helen  under 
stand  anything:  nothing  but  death  or  palsy  ever  prevents 
a  Hurst  expressing  his  mind.  It's  a  hereditary  prerog 
ative." 

"  She  seems  to  possess  a  special  faculty  of  irritating 
me." 

''  It  seems  to  be  reciprocal." 

'  I  know  it,"  said  Barbara,  abject  and  whimsical.  "  I'm 
really  no  better  than  a  Christian— 

'  That  must  be  a  truly  humiliating  reflection  to  a 
superior  mind,"  said  Zillah  curtly,  and  turned  away.  "  I 
would  advise  you  to  eat  something  before  you  go  to  ride." 


174  THE   PANG-YANGER 

"  Zillah,"  protested  the  girl,  with  rather  a  forlorn 
gleam  of  humour  in  the  eyes  she  raised  to  the  averted  face, 
and  then  she  laughed,  the  little  irresistible,  whimsical 
laugh  which  softened  Zillah,  despite  her  effort  to  resist  the 
girl's  beguiling. 

"  You  needn't  flatter  yourself,  my  dear,  that  you  have 
no  savour  of  the  salt  which  seasons  the  rest  of  us."  Zillah 
slightly  shrugged  her  shoulders. 

"  As  a  family,  we  are  rather — difficult,"  she  admitted. 

"Do  you  ever  quarrel  with  Aunt  Helen?"  Barbara 
enquired  hopefully,  but  Zillah  refused  to  be  more  of  a 
partisan  than  strict  necessity  demanded. 

"  I  cannot  imagine  myself  quarrelling  with  any  one," 
she  replied  with  crushing  dignity,  and  Barbara  suspected 
she  ought  to  feel  abashed  by  her  own  pugnacity. 

'  You  should  have  been  a  Quaker,  Zillah.  I  don't  be 
lieve  you  believe  the  awful  tenets  of  your  own  church,  do 
you?  "  she  asked. 

"  Now  see  here,  Barbara  Hurst,  you  shan't  discuss 
theology  with  me.  If  I  got  to  thinking  of  those  things, 
I'd  go  crazy,"  said  Zillah. 

"  But  how  can  you  help  thinking?  "  enquired  Barbara 
curiously. 

"  I  let  down  the  trap-door  in  my  brain,  as  I  do  when 
Aunt  Helen  nags." 

"  But  I  have  no  such  convenient  mechanical  contriv 
ance,"  laughed  Barbara. 

'  Then  so  much  the  worse  for  you,"  retorted  Zil 
lah. 

;<  What  this  family  needs,"  Barbara  declared  oracu 
larly,  "  is  a  man  in  it!  Let  us  flip  up  a  cent  to  see  which 
of  us  shall  sacrifice  to  Venus." 

"  Thanks !      I  draw  the  line  at  men  !  " 
4  Your  cordon  prohibitive  must  embrace  me.     At  least 
no  one  else  has  manifested  any  propensity  to  do  so  since  I 


CHAPTER  TEN  175 

came  here.     I  never  saw  such  a  place !  "     Barbara's  tone 
was  very  pensive,  and  Zillah  smiled. 

"  I  am  exceedingly  sorry  my  eccentricities  deprive  you 
of  your  customary  entertainment." 

"  You  do  not  quite  understand.  I'm  only  afraid  I 
shall  forget  how  to  refuse  if  some  one  does  not  propose 
pretty  soon,  and  fall  into  the  arms  of  the  first  man  who 
asks  me.  However,  I  have  hope  of  this  reception  of 
Mrs.  Brinkerhoff's.  If  God  is  good,  there  should  be  a 
moon  before  it's  over.  Maude  and  I  consulted  the  al 
manac  yesterday,  and  with  moonlight  and  music,  some 
thing  of  the  sort  ought  to  happen  even  among  your  cold 
blooded  Yankees.  I  bet  Maude  that  last  dollar  of  mine 
it  would,  to  one  or  the  other  of  us;  but  if  it  does  not,  I 
might  propose  to  Dr.  Pomfret  myself.  He  could  swear 
Aunt  Helen  quiescent,  couldn't  he?  " 

"  I  doubt  it.  And  we  do  not  want  any  more  old  people 
in  the  house.  You  had  better  marry — 'Bijah  Bead. 
How  clearly  you  can  see  his  place  from  this  window !  Is 
that  he  ploughing  this  morning?  " 

Barbara  took  an  observation. 

"  If  it  is,  he  is  wasting  the  morning  hours  in  a  frivolous 
occupation,  when  he  might  be  down  here  making  love  to 
me." 

"  Barbara  Hurst!  The  idea  that  you  would  have  any 
thing  to  do  with  a  man  like  that!  " 

"  On  the  contrary,  I  consider  it  a  duty  to  my  outraged 
sex  to  refuse  that  man,  and  I  should  like  to  know  how  I 
?m  to  perform  that  duty  without  having  a  preliminary 
something  to  do  with  him?  There  certainly  is  no  pros 
pect  of  his  proposing  offhand;  I  shall  have  to  work  him  up 
to  it." 

'  What  outrageous  things  you  do  say!  " 

"  I  can't  help  it.  I  always  feel  like  being  as  bad  as  I 
know  how,  after  a  bout  with  my  venerable  aunt.  I'm 


1 76  THE  PANG-YANGER 

capable  of  going  up  and  forcibly  eloping  with  Mr.  Bead 
and  his  son  this  morning." 

"  I  think  you  would  find  that  operation  difficult — with 
out  chloroform.  Are  you  going  to  ride  this  morn- 
ing?" 

'  Yes,  but  I  promised  to  stop  for  Maude,  so  I  shall  not 
take  along  an  anaesthetic  to-day.  Thanks  for  the  sug 
gestion,  though;  it  is  ingenious.  I  was  trusting  to  mere 
hypnotism,  at  long  range,  and  the  process  has  promised 
to  require  several  eternities." 

"  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  seems  more  sanguine.  Her  sisterly 
attitude  towards  you  is  really  touching,  since  your  visit 
to  Mr.  Bead." 

"  She  deserves  to  be  slapped!  "  said  Barbara  hotly.  "  I 
would  not  go  to  her  old  reception,  if — if  I  did  not  feel  like 
I  must  have  a  dance." 

"  Oh,  you  need  not  be  afraid  of  meeting  Mr.  Bead 
there.  Oxen  could  not  drag  him  into  a  thing  of  that 
sort." 

"  I  suppose  not,"  said  Barbara  absently. 

She  put  her  head  inside  Zillah's  door  when  she  was 
habited  for  her  ride. 

"  If  I'm  not  back  for  luncheon,  don't  worry.  I  shall 
not  have  eloped  with  the  Bead  family,  but  we  are  going  to 
call  on  Marcia  Palmer,  and  if  Maude  dismounts,  there's 
no  telling  how  long  it  will  take  me  to  get  her  up  again,  un 
less  there  is  a  man  around  to  help." 

'You  take  the  mountain  road,  of  course?"  Zillah 
asked  suggestively.  The  mountain  road  led  past  Abi- 
jah's  farm. 

"  Of  course!  "  said  Barbara  with  a  defiant  moue.  She 
explained  casually  to  Maude  the  deplorable  condition  of 
the  mountain  highway,  and  they  went  several  miles  around 
to  avoid  it,  however. 

Mr.  Phelps  greeted  Zillah  cordially  when  she  entered 


CHAPTER  TEN  177 

his  office  late  that  afternoon.  The  old  lawyer  was  one 
of  the  few  men  she  esteemed,  and  he  understood  her  pecu 
liar  character,  and  admired  her  thoroughly. 

"Why  did  not  Miss  Barbara  come  in  too?"  he  en 
quired,  for  Barbara  had  passed  the  door,  and  gone  on 
down  the  street. 

"  She  has  another  errand;  and — I  did  not  wish  her  to 
come  in  to-day.  Mr.  Phelps,  she  may  ask  you  about — 
er — our  affairs,  and  I  am  afraid  she  may  object  to  my 
arrangements." 

"  I  should  hope  so." 

'  You  promised  not  to  interfere." 

"  But  how  much  further  is  this  to  go?  The  burden 
was  enough  for  you  before  this  girl  came  on,  with  her 
horses  and  servants." 

''  I  can  manage,  thank  you,  and  I  wish  to  do  so." 

'  You  have  no  right  to  place  your  cousin  in  this  posi 
tion.  From  what  I've  seen  of  her  she  will  resent  it  when 
she  knows." 

"  She  need  never  know.  She  would  most  certainly 
resent  it.  That  is  what  I  fear;  I  can  take  no  chances  of 
disturbing  Aunt  Felicite." 

"  I  know  by  experience  there  is  no  use  arguing  with 
your  quixotism,  but  you  ought  at  least  to  have  the  dia 
monds.  I  understand  Madam  has  already  given  them 
to  Miss  Barbara." 

;'  It  is  all  she  has  left  to  give;  I  would  not  deprive 
her  of  the  pleasure  for  many  times  their  value.  Now, 
here  is  the  interest  on  the  mortgage,  but  if  you  will  be  so 
kind  as  to  take  my  note  until  the  end  of  the  month,  I 
should  like  to  retain  part  of  the  money." 

"  Certainly.  Extra  expense  for  Miss  Barbara,  I  feel 
confident." 

"  Aunt  Felicite  would  be  miserable  if  Barbara  did  not 
attend  this  reception,"  and  Zillah  took  up  the  pen  to  sub- 


178  THE  PANG-YANGER 

scribe  her  name  to  the  note,  while  the  lawyer  looked  on 
helplessly. 

"  If  Barbara  questions  you,  Mr.  Phelps,  please  ex 
plain,  in  technical  terms!  Barbara  will  never  try  to  fol 
low  you.  She  counts  her  change  on  her  fingers." 

The  old  gentleman  chuckled. 

"  She  is  a  dear  girl,  but  I  hate  to  see  you  working 
for  her.  It  is  not  right." 

"  It  happens  to  be  an  unavoidable  detail.  I  do  not 
pretend  I  would  do  it  otherwise,  but  I  never  can  repay 
Aunt  Felicite's  kindness  to  me." 

"  I  think  you  have,  many,  many  times  over,  my  dear 
Miss  Zillah.  Very  few  of  us  receive  so  many  fold  for 
bread  cast  upon  the  waters.  You  are  quixotic,  but  I  can't 
help  admiring  your  quixotism." 

Zillah  arose  promptly,  drawing  on  her  glove. 

"  I  promised  to  follow  Barbara  directly  and  look  at 
some  lace-making  of  the  Italians  down  in  Dublin.  Thank 
you  very  much,  Mr.  Phelps.  Remember  if  Barbara 
comes  to  you — she  counts  on  her  fingers." 

"  Yes,  yes!  A  '  wilful  woman  will  have  her  way.'  I'll 
confuse  the  opposition  with  legal  technicalities,  but  not 
that  I  approve  the  method  or  the  object,  remember." 

He  stood  at  the  door,  watching  her  straight,  uncom 
promising  progress  down  the  village  street,  and  sighed, 
as  he  turned  back  into  his  private  office,  and  confronted  a 
large  unopened  packing  case.  It  contained  the  portrait 
of  his  son's  wife,  by  Sargent.  Doubtless  a  masterpiece, 
but  the  old  gentleman  did  not  know  exactly  what  to  do 
with  this  particular  masterpiece,  and  his  sigh  was  for  the 
unequal  distribution  of  integrity  among  the  daughters  of 
men.  There  is  plenty  of  it  to  inform  a  decent  average  if 
only  it  was  equally  apportioned,  and  Zillah  Hurst,  the 
lawyer  knew,  had  enough  to  supply  some  whole  families. 

Barbara  sauntered  slowly  toward  the  lower  portion  of 


CHAPTER  TEN  179 

the  village,  where  sundry  disreputable  acquaintances  re 
tarded  her  on  the  way  to  the  house  of  Giacoso.  She 
heartily  and  hastily  endorsed  Dr.  Pomfret's  treatment  of 
the  McCallahan's  club-footed  boy,  whose  mother  rushed 
out  from  the  washtub  to  consult  her  about  it;  and  escaped 
only  to  be  detained  by  a  garrulous  old  dame,  whose  grand 
son,  Madam's  former  coachman,  spent  his  wages  at  the 
saloon.  Barbara  promised  to  speak  severely  to  Mike 
Coffee  and  to  tell  Father  Varney  to  forbid  the  saloon 
keeper  to  sell  him  more  than  a  moderate  amount  of  whis 
key  thereafter. 

"  For  'tis  no  manner  of  use,  Miss  Barbara,  dear,  thry- 
in'  to  prevint  him  gettin'  a  drap  ov  the  crature  entoirely, 
whin  he's  wearied  wid  the  work.  Sure  I  nade  the  same 
mesil',"  said  Granny  Coffee  charitably. 

Giuseppe  met  Barbara  at  the  door  with  radiance  gleam 
ing  from  every  one  of  his  twenty-four  shining  teeth  and 
dancing  eyes. 

"  Mother  is  setting  with  the  sick  woman;  come  in,"  he 
said,  and  would  have  led  the  way  into  the  house,  but  Bar 
bara  had  had  pathology  enough  for  one  day,  and  paused 
abruptly  on  the  threshold. 

"What  sickness  have  you  here?  "  she  demanded,  and 
Giuseppe  supplied  effusive  sanitary  reassurance.  It  was 
no  "  sickness  "  really,  no  disease,  no  fever  or  catching 
illness.  Giuseppe  exhausted  his  English.  It  was  merely 
that  the  woman  was  dying. 

"  But  what  woman?  Any  of  your  own  people?  "  Bar 
bara  asked,  putting  a  tentative  foot  across  the  doorsill. 

Oh,  no;  it  was  none  of  the  Giacoso.     A  strange  woman. 
They  did  not  know  her.     She  was  dying  when  she  came. 
'Then  how  did  she  come?"  enquired  Barbara  natu 
rally. 

4  'Bijah  Bead  brought  her.     He  found  her  in  the  road 
before  the  house  one  night,  and  brought  her  in  to  us.     The 


i8o  THE  PANG-YANGER 

doctor  and  the  priest  say  she  will  die,  but  'Bijah  Bead  gives 
us  money  for  her  care,  and  we  pray  she  may  live  many 
day.  My  mother  has  gone  in  to  pray  now,"  said  Giu 
seppe  piously. 

Barbara  could  no  longer  doubt  her  visit  was  ill-timed. 

"  I  wouldn't  disturb  her  devotions  for  the  world.  I'll 
call  again  and  see  the  lace,"  she  said,  turning  hurriedly 
to  leave  the  house,  but  she  counted  without  her  host. 
Giuseppe  barred  the  way,  abject,  beseeching,  but  per 
sistent;  assuring  her  his  mother's  prayers  could  wait;  that 
nothing  was  of  consequence  in  comparison  to  the  honour 
and  pleasure  of  her  visit.  His  importunities  were  so  sin 
cere  (he  nearly  wept  with  chagrin  that  she  should  leave), 
that  Barbara  consented  to  make  a  hasty  inspection  of  his 
mother's  work  before  she  left. 

'  Tell  her  to  make  haste  and  bring  it  out  here,"  she  said, 
and  as  Giuseppe  joyfully  disappeared,  she  selected  the 
cleanest  chair  in  the  room,  tucked  her  skirts  well  around 
her,  and  sat  down,  keeping  an  apprehensive  eye  on  several 
sleek,  brown,  dirty  babies,  who  swarmed  upon  the  floor. 
She  had  just  repelled  the  advance  of  the  boldest  infant,  by 
gently  upsetting  him,  and  rolling  him  over  with  her  foot, 
when  the  light  of  the  sun  was  suddenly  obscured  by  Mr. 
Bead,  whose  brawny  figure  blocked  up  the  doorway.  He 
was  in  conventional  attire,  instead  of  his  usual  rough 
riding  coat  and  breeches,  and  in  lieu  of  a  riding-crop,  car 
ried  a  well-rolled  umbrella. 

"  Good-afternoon,"  he  said,  and  the  derby  hat  was  re 
moved  as  he  recognised  the  other  visitor.  His  face  was 
hidden  in  the  dusk  of  his  own  shadow,  but  his  voice  ex 
pressed  everything  uncordial,  and  with  a  poignant  sense 
of  intrusion,  the  sangfroid  which  Barbara  had  sedulously 
rehearsed  for  their  subsequent  meeting  deserted  her;  and 
in  consternation  she  heard  herself  exclaim : 

"  Why,  I  thought  you  were  ploughing!  " 


CHAPTER  TEN  181 

Every  line  of  Mr.  Bead's  proportions  expressed  a  mad 
dening  resignation. 

"  I  finished  my  stunt,"  he  explained  painstakingly,  and 
Barbara  was  wild  at  her  inadvertence. 

'  You  must  know  your — er — operations  are  spectacu 
lar,"  she  said  in  defence. 

'  Well,  I  can't  help  it,"  retorted  Abijah  as  he  smoothed 
a  rampant  lock  at  the  crown  of  his  sleek  and  shining  head, 
"  I'm  naturally  of  a  retiring  disposition,  but  the  very  ele 
ments  conspire  to  prevent  my  retiring.  Lightning  rips  up 
my  sanctum  sanctorum,  I've  had  to  bunk  in  with  the  boys 
ever  since,  and  there's  such  a  glaring  publicity  in  every 
endurin'  thing  I  do,  that  sometimes  I'm  plumb  discour 
aged." 

'  The  field  of  politics  may  afford  a  refuge,"  Barbara 
suggested  sympathetically,  but  Abijah's  mood  was  pes 
simistic. 

'  I  hope  so,"  he  said  gloomily,  "  but  I'm  afraid  I'm 
capable  of  blundering  into  notoriety  even  there." 

"  As  to  blundering,"  a  slight  incomparable  gesture  in 
cluded  her  surroundings,  "  Giuseppe  told  me  his  mother 
made  the  real  point  d'Alencon  lace,  and  I  came  to  see  it, 
not  knowing  there  was  any  one  dangerously  ill.  I  would 
have  gone  away,  but  the  boy  begged  me  to  stop  a  mo 
ment."  Barbara  wished  to  impress  Mr.  Bead  with  the 
commercial  aspect  of  her  visit. 

"  How  is  the  woman  to-day?  "  he  enquired. 

"  Giuseppe  says  she  is  dying.  I  have  never  gone  among 
the  sick.  It  is  not  my  vocation.  And  I  loathe  babies! 
Oh,  take  this  one  away,  won't  you!  "  she  wailed,  shrink 
ing  in  undisguised  repulsion  from  the  clutch  of  a  maraud 
ing  infant  who  had  climbed  up  beside  her. 

Abijah  reached  into  the  narrow  room,  plucked  off  the 
offender,  set  him  howling  in  the  farthest  corner,  and 
vouchsafing  no  further  word  or  glance  in  Barbara's  di- 


1 82  THE  PANG-YANGER 

rection,  marched  to  the  door  of  the  sick-room,  and 
knocked  imperatively.  Giuseppe  opened  the  door,  and 
closed  it  behind  the  visitor. 

"  Well,  I  declare!  "  gasped  Barbara,  to  the  astonished 
babies,  who  stared  as  hard  as  she  did. 

In  about  three  minutes  Abijah  emerged,  followed  by 
the  stout,  smiling  little  brown  mother  of  Giuseppe,  who, 
with  eloquent  gesticulation,  laid  a  specimen  of  her  handi 
work  on  Barbara's  knee,  and  stood  aside,  as  who  should 
say  triumphantly,  "Behold!"  The  girl  bent  her  head 
above  the  exquisite  fabric,  and  did  not  lift  it  when  Mr. 
Bead,  after  an  instant's  hesitation,  came  and  stood  beside 
her,  and  bent  down  to  speak.  As  a  mentor  of  young 
ladies  Abijah  Bead  was  not  at  his  happiest,  and  as  he  hesi 
tated  there  came  through  the  thin  partition  of  the  ad 
jacent  house  a  high  lamenting  Irish  voice,  rising  cres 
cendo  and  punctuated  by  an  infant's  pin-point  wail. 

"  Och,  Nora  !  Nora  !  Ye  wouldn't  take  yer  father's  de 
vice,  nor  yer  mither's  device,  but  ye  took  Mick  Coffee's 
device — and  ye  see  what's  come  of  it!" 

An  internal  convulsion  shook  Abijah,  but  after  an  in 
stant's  struggle  he  steadied  his  voice  gravely. 

"  I — I  wouldn't  stay  if  I  were  you,"  he  said  in  the  im 
personal  tone  of  a  reluctant  father  confessor. 

'  Thank  you,  sir!  "  responded  Barbara  coolly,  without 
lifting  her  head,  and  Abijah  straightened  up  at  the  unex 
pected  rebuff,  and  with  a  curt  and  general  "  Good-after 
noon  "  strode  out  of  the  house. 

As  the  sound  of  his  carriage  wheels  died  away,  Bar 
bara  rose  in  a  panic  to  depart. 

"Is  the  woman  worse,  Giuseppe?"  she  asked  nerv 
ously,  and  the  boy  shook  his  head. 

"  She  is  better,"  he  responded  with  confidence.  "  She 
talked  and  seemed  to  understand  while  Mr.  Bead  was 
here." 


CHAPTER  TEN  183 

"  I  mind  him  now!  I  mind  him  now!  I  mind  him 
now !  "  babbled  the  dying  woman's  voice  in  the  next  room, 
and  a  pathetic  note  of  conscious  satisfaction  in  the  low 
monotonous  murmur  caught  the  girl's  attention. 

'What  is  she  saying?"  she  asked  curiously,  moving 
very  slowly,  almost  automatically,  toward  the  inner  room. 

'  I  don't  know;  she  said  it  to  Mr.  Bead,"  replied 
Giuseppe. 

Barbara  held  her  breath,  as  she  reached  the  doorway 
and  looked  in. 

The  skull-like  head  was  rigid  on  the  pillow,  and  the 
wasted  hands  groped  constantly,  and  reached  toward  Bar 
bara,  who  shrank  back,  doubtful  if  eyes  so  glazed  and 
deathly  still  retained  the  sense  of  vision. 

"  I  mind  him  now,"  the  husky  voice  confided,  and  as 
Barbara  swayed  toward  her,  Giuseppe's  mother  thrust 
a  rosary  into  her  hands,  and  gently  pushed  her  for 
ward. 

"Whom  do  you  remember?"  asked  the  half-dazed 
girl,  and  her  young  vibrant  voice  held  the  vague  spirit  to  a 
moment's  thought. 

"  Abijah  Bead,  I  mind  him  now,"  muttered  the  woman, 
staring  with  horrible  fixity  at  the  girl,  and  reaching  aimless 
claws  to  touch  her.  Barbara  never  afterwards  under 
stood  what  impelled  her  to  the  ghastly  interrogation,  but 
standing  quietly,  just  out  of  reach,  she  caught  the  dying 
woman's  conscious  gaze  again,  and  held  death  back  for 
her  to  answer. 

'Who  are  you?"  she  demanded,  and  with  failing 
breath  came  the  slow  answer. 

"Aileen  Mahan — I — mind — him — now!  Abijah  Bead! 
I — saw — him — married—  The  voice  trailed  off  in 

silence.  Mona  Giacoso  dropped  suddenly  to  her  knees 
beside  the  bed,  and  in  a  nightmare  of  horror  Barbara 
saw  the  rigid  head  upon  the  pillow  twitch  back,  the  eyes 


1 84  THE  PANG-YANGER 

roll  up,  and  the  jaws  set.  Then  she  fainted,  for  the  only 
time  in  her  life. 

With  the  return  of  consciousness,  her  first  impulse  was 
to  escape  from  something  very  wet  and  sloppy  on  her  fore 
head,  and  summoning  all  her  strength  for  the  effort,  she 
feebly  turned  her  head.  The  frightened  face  of  the 
Italian  lad  looked  down  at  her,  and  he  valiantly  splashed 
more  water  on  her  dripping  head. 

"  Don't!  "  she  muttered  irritably,  and  Mona  Giacoso 
rippled  off  a  prayer  of  praise  for  her  recovery. 

"  I'm  all  right.  Help  me  up,"  said  Barbara,  and 
Giuseppe  put  his  arms  about  her  with  a  right  good  will, 
and  dragged  her  to  a  sitting  posture. 

"Brace  up!"  he  adjured  encouragingly,  but  Barbara 
leaned  against  his  shoulder  dizzily  before  she  made  the 
effort. 

Zillah  arrived  upon  the  scene  as  Mona  Giacoso  was 
drying  Barbara's  hair,  and  Giuseppe  herding  the  babies  in 
a  corner,  out  of  the  way  of  this  erratic  visitor.  Barbara, 
though  rather  pale  and  limp,  was  in  complete  command  of 
the  situation. 

"  I  never  saw  any  one  die  before,"  she  explained,  de 
voutly  hoping  the  Italians  had  not  understood  the  dying 
woman's  words,  "  and  I  shall  be  right  vexed  with  you-all 
if  you  say  anything  about  my  fainting.  It  was  no  one's 
fault  but  my  own,  Zillah,  that  I  went  in  to  see  her.  I 
can't  imagine  what  possessed  me." 

"  Neither  can  I !  "  responded  Zillah,  distinctly  dis 
gusted  with  the  entire  performance,  and  she  took  the 
towelling  summarily  from  good  little  Mona  Giacoso,  who, 
in  a  hospitable,  frantic  effort  to  effect  a  respectful  quiet 
for  her  distinguished  guests,  caught  up  two  infants,  and 
nursed  them  both  at  once. 


XI 

HELLO,  Assemblyman !  " 
The  jovial  hail  out  of  the  starlit  silence  roused 
Mr.  Bead  from  reverie,  and  he  uprose  from  his 
seat  on  the  porch,  baying  a  prompt  response. 

i(  Hello,  yourself,  Bill  Hen!  "  he  called,  and  went  at  a 
long  stride  down  the  driveway,  toward  the  shadowy  figure 
approaching  between  the  Druidic  rows  of  hemlocks. 
They  met  with  a  brief  hand-grasp,  and  Abijah  hospitably 
possessed  himself  of  his  friend's  valise  as  they  walked  to 
ward  the  house. 

"  How'd  you  come  up?     Just  in?  "  he  asked. 

"  Yes.  Walked  the  last  half-mile.  Your  good  old 
neighbour,  Philo,  consented  to  give  me  a  lift  '  fur's  '  he 
was  goin',  but  he  manifested  no  disposition  to  accommo 
date  me  an  inch  beyond;  so  I  gave  him  warm  thanks  for 
his  neighbourliness,  instead  of  a  dollar,  and  stumped  it  the 
rest  of  the  way.  Does  the  old  curmudgeon  lay  it  up 
against  us  yet  for  the  time  we  locked  him  in  his  corn- 
crib?" 

"Oh,  no!  He  thinks  considerably  better  of  our 
chances  of  escaping  the  *  gallus  '  than  he  did  then,  and 
he's  been  real  friendly  with  me  since  my  nomination; 
comes  over  and  borrows  anything  he  wants  as  free  as  can 
be.  I  haven't  figured  it  out  yet,  but  at  a  rough  estimate, 
Philo's  vote  has  cost  me,  in  the  use  of  farm-horses  and 
implements,  pretty  close  to  ten  dollars  already." 

Deyo  shouted  like  a  boy,  and  as  they  mounted  the  steps, 
Abijah  guided  him  to  one  side,  Rob  having  gone  to  sleep 
casually  in  the  middle  of  the  porch  floor. 

185 


1 86  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Hello!  Night  air  good  for  the  kid?  "  enquired  Mr. 
Deyo. 

"  I  hope  so,  for  half  the  time  it's  the  only  kind  we  can 
get  up  here,"  replied  Abijah  deprecatingly. 

"  You  should  bring  him  out  to  Chicago,"  admonished 
Mr.  Deyo,  feeling  for  the  familiar  bench  at  the  side  of 
the  porch.  Abijah  paused  in  the  yawning  darkness  of 
his  unlighted  doorway. 

"  '  Lives  there  a  man  with  soul  so  dead,'  and  so  forth," 
he  quoted. 

"  That's  all  right;  but — if  you  were  thinking  of  order 
ing  supper,  don't  let  me  detain  you,"  observed  Mr.  Deyo 
politely. 

"  I'll  tell  Pete  to  hustle  the  grub,"  said  Abijah,  and  dis 
appeared  into  the  dark  interior.  Deyo  put  his  back 
against  the  house,  and  stretched  out  his  legs  on  the  bench, 
breathing  deep,  contented  breaths  of  the  crisp,  aromatic 
mountain  air. 

"  Have  a  drink?  "  enquired  his  host,  reappearing  in 
the  doorway. 

'  No,  thanks;  Marcia  won't  kiss  me  if  I  do;  I'm  going 
down  to  your  sister's,  as  soon  as  I've  had  supper  and 
dressed." 

"  How  did  you  know  about  the  '  doins  '  to-night?  " 

"  Silas  put  me  next;  so  I  made  him  dig  up  my  suit-case 
from  the  baggage  car;  I  knew  all  my  folks  would  be 
asleep,  and  I  knew  it  did  not  matter  if  you  were,  old 
man.  Will  your  sister  admit  an  uninvited  guest?  " 

"  Sure  thing!  "  Abijah  said  cordially. 

"  I  flattered  myself  she  would,  but  Silas  did  not  en 
courage  the  conceit,  so  I  thought  I'd  better  come  up  and 
bring  you  down  with  me." 

"  Not  on  your  life!  "  Abijah  said,  still  more  cordially. 

"You  confirmed  old  misogynist!  Well,  how  does 
politics  agree  with  you,  far  as  you've  got?  " 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  187 

"  It's  hell!  "  said  Abijah,  and  his  friend  chuckled. 

"  '  Give  me  your  vote!  '  Oh,  'Bijah,  I  wish  I  could 
be  here  for  the  fun !  Father  wrote  you  were  doing  the 
Coriolanus  act,  and  the  old  gentleman  is  red-headed  about 
the  way  you  revoke  and  trump  your  partner's  trick." 

"  I  '  thought  I  could  venture  to  go  it  alone  ' !  "  quoth 
Abijah  coolly.  He  had  no  intention  to  confide  the  weak 
ness  which  had  almost  betrayed  him,  to  this  man,  who 
gaily  challenged  all  comers  in  the  professional  arena,  and 
enjoyed  pitting  himself  against  competitors. 

"  Gaul,"  Deyo  reflected  aloud,  "  was  never  divided 
into  three  parts.  You  got  the  whole  of  it,  'Bijah  Bead!  " 

"Supper!"  called  Pete,  opening  the  kitchen  door  at 
the  end  of  the  hall,  and  the  glow  from  the  lamp  on  the 
dining  table  fell  in  a  broad  pale  beam  through  the  front 
doorway  upon  the  sleeping  child. 

'  I  might  as  well  take  him  up  to  bed  now.  Don't 
wait,  Billy,  go  right  in  to  supper,"  said  Abijah,  and  he 
knelt  with  a  supple  movement,  and  gently  gathered  the 
child  into  his  arms  without  awakening  him. 

"  I've  a  jewel  of  an  appetite,"  remarked  Deyo,  but 
he  lingered,  half  wistfully  watching  Abijah,  who  revealed 
a  depth  of  tenderness  never  hitherto  glimpsed  or  sus 
pected  by  his  oldest  friend.  There  was  no  question  of 
his  affection  for  his  son,  and  the  realisation  of  it  gave 
the  young  lawyer  a  queer  spasm  of  jealousy. 

After  supper,  while  his  guest  dressed  for  the  recep 
tion,  Abijah  smoked  comfortably,  and  scoffed  the  idea 
of  accompanying  him. 

'  We  only  got  home  yesterday  from  a  trip  to  New 
York,  and  my  neck's  raw  yet;  I  had  to  wear  a  collar  and 
a  b'iled  shirt  for  a  week,"  he  averred  when  Deyo  became 
urgent. 

"  Oh,  confound  your  neck!  "  said  Deyo,  and  by  a  quick 
flank  movement  he  upset  Abijah's  chair.  Abijah  escaped 


1 88  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  ignominy  of  a  downfall,  by  a  lithe  spring  to  his 
feet. 

"I'll  iron  you  out,  Billy!"  he  exclaimed,  and  they 
grappled  like  boys. 

"  Will  you  go  if  I  throw  you?  "  panted  Deyo,  as  they 
wrestled  around  the  room. 

'  Yep!  "  said  'Bijah.  He  was  the  larger  and  heavier 
man  of  the  two,  but  his  friend  was  in  training,  and  scarcely 
had  he  uttered  the  assent,  when  his  feet  slipped,  and  they 
fell  together  upon  Rob's  bed,  Abijah  undermost. 

The  crash  awakened  Rob,  who  sat  up  bewildered.  The 
next  instant  he  had  scrambled  up  and  was  pummelling 
Deyo  valorously. 

The  men  rolled  apart  in  helpless  laughter.  "Foul! 
foul!"  gasped  Deyo,  and  Abijah  sat  up  and  drew  his 
son  within  the  circle  of  his  arm. 

"  That's  right,  pard,"  he  said  reassuringly.  "  You 
did  perfectly  right  to  come  to  the  rescue  when  your  dad's 
in  trouble." 

"  I  thought  it  was  a  real  scrap,"  murmured  Rob  apolo 
getically,  and  Deyo  offered  his  hand. 

"  I'm  proud  to  make  your  acquaintance,  young  man. 
You're  a  dead-game  sport.  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to 
say  as  much  for  your  dad,"  significantly;  and  Abijah 
groaned. 

"  He's  a  bully,  pard.  I  wish  you  had  blacked  his  eye," 
he  said. 

'Well,  he  didn't,  and  I  threw  you;  your  own  son  is 
witness.  You  get  into  your  glad  rags  in  a  hurry,  or  we 
won't  get  down  till  midnight." 

"  I  haven't  any!  I  never  had  an  evening  suit  in  my 
life,"  said  Abijah  triumphantly. 

"  Wear  anything  you  have;  wear  your  pajamas,  if  you 
like,  but  go  you  shall  if  T  have  to  lav  you  out  and  carry 
you  down  on  a  shutter,"  answered  Deyo  remorselessly, 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  189 

and  he  made  a  raid  upon  Abijah's  closet;  Abijah  made  a 
rueful  toilet  of  such  things  as  were  laid  out  for  him,  em 
phatically  repudiating  any  responsibility  for  his  appear 
ance  or  conduct  therein. 

As  they  started  off  behind  the  fastest  trotter  in  the 
stables,  it  occurred  to  Deyo  that  long  and  intimately  as 
he  had  known  Abijah  Bead  many  of  the  commonplaces 
of  acquaintance  were  unknown  to  him. 

"  Do  you  dance,  'Bije?  "  he  asked  curiously,  as  they 
sped  down  the  mountain  road. 

"  Not  particularly;  but  I  had  to  learn  to  pick  up  my 
feet  somehow  out  at  Red  Bluffs,  when  Long  Sam  marked 
time  with  his  revolver.  It  was  a  favourite  entertainment 
of  his,  and  though  there  was  nothing  original  in  the  per 
formance,  I  danced  a  few  sets  for  him.  Want  to  see  me 
do  it  again  to-night?  " 

''  Not  at  all,"  said  Deyo,  who  knew  better  than  to  try 
Abijah  too  far  in  his  present  mood,  and  they  drove 
through  the  cool  shadows  of  the  forest  in  silence,  for  a 
while;  then  Deyo  spoke  again. 

'  I'm  going  to  be  married  this  winter,"  he  announced 
carelessly. 

;'  Don't  be  hasty.     You  and  Marcia  haven't  been  en 
gaged  more  than  a  decade  yet.     How's  Rosie?  " 
(  Rosie  has  '  gone  with  a  handsomer  man.'  ' 

"The  devil!" 
'  Yes  !     Nelse  Lehman— I  hear." 

"  Good  Lord!     What  was  the  row?  " 
'  I  don't  row.     I  think  she  suspected  I  meant  to  be 
married.     She  just  left." 

'Too  bad!  Poor  little  Rosie!  He's  a  mean  cuss, 
Billy." 

''  I  can't  help  it.  Rosie  knew  it,  and  she  knew,  too,  I 
wouldn't  have  thrown  her  over.  But  I'm  done.  Perhaps 
it's  just  as  well." 


190  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  For  you.  But  Rosie  wasn't  really  vicious,  and  that 
gorilla- 

"  I'm  not  interested  in  sociological  problems.  She  evi 
dently  had  the  professional  instincts,  after  all.  I  thought 
better  of  Rosie,"  said  Deyo  regretfully. 

Abijah's  square  jaws  set  in  silence.  His  keener  sensi 
bilities  discerned  the  desperation  of  an  ignorant,  heart 
broken  woman's  frantic  act,  but  he  recognised  the  hope 
lessness  of  argument,  and  only  sent  his  horse  forward 
with  a  sudden  acceleration  of  speed  as  he  whirled  into  the 
turnpike. 

'What's  the  rush?"  inquired  Deyo  as  he  recovered 
from  the  jerk. 

"  Best  get  a  bad  job  over,"  said  Abijah,  and  held  his 
trotter  to  the  steady  pace  of  a  machine  as  they  approached 
the  village. 

Mrs.  Brinkerhoff  directed  Deyo  where  to  find  Marcia 
when  they  presented  themselves,  and  her  brother  relieved 
her  of  all  responsibility  on  his  account,  by  seeking  the 
maternal  protection.  Mrs.  Bead  was  in  a  group  of  dow 
agers  near  a  window  and  Abijah  took  his  place  behind 
her  chair,  watching  the  dancers.  His  sufferings  were  so 
acute  she  did  not  venture  to  address  him,  when  he  first 
appeared,  and  when  she  finally  turned  her  head  to  do  so, 
he  had  lapsed  silently  out  of  the  window,  and  was  smok 
ing  a  solitary  cigar  in  a  secluded  corner  of  the  veranda, 
from  whence  he  could  look  in  at  the  window  unobserved. 

"  Emily,"  said  Mrs.  Bead,  a  serene  composure  dis 
guising  her  discomfiture,  "  sometimes  I  wish  I  had  taught 
you  children  to  dance.  Did  you  ever  see  any  one  so  out 
of  his  element  as  Abijah?  " 

"  I  think  he  might  have  dressed  properly  if  he  were 
coming,"  replied  her  daughter,  smiling  sweetly  across  the 
room  at  some  one. 

"  Where  is  he?  "  asked  the  mother  anxiously. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  191 

"  I'm  sure  I  don't  know,  and  if  he  thinks  I'm  going  to 
coax  him  to  play,  as  I  used  to  when  he  was  a  boy,  he's 
mistaken.  Lucky  the  Phelpses  are  in  Europe,"  and  Mrs. 
Brinkerhoff  swept  gracefully  away.  She  came  unex 
pectedly  upon  Barbara  Hurst,  sitting  alone  in  a  bay 
window. 

'  What  in  the  world  has  happened?  Where's  your 
partner?  Why  are  you  not  dancing?  "  she  demanded, 
pausing  in  surprise  before  the  girl. 

"  I've  danced  every  set,  and  am  having  a  perfectly 
lovely  time,  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff.  The  music  is  delicious. 
Mr.  Augivine  has  gone  to  look  for  my  fan,  and  I'm  wait 
ing  for  him.  It's  an  old  Watteau  fan  of  Maman's,  and 
I  should  not  like  to  lose  it." 

:'  No,  indeed!     Where  did  you  miss  it?  " 

'  Why,  I  missed  it  right  here,"  replied  Barbara  de 
murely,  and  smiled  a  greeting  to  the  doctor,  who  had 
found  her  out  and  was  drawing  a  chair  to  her  side. 

"  I'll  see  that  it  is  found,"  said  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff, 
"  Come,  Mr.  Ten  Eyke,  help  me  in  this  quest.  Miss 
Hurst  has  lost  her  fan,  a  lovely  thing  of  Madam  Hurst's." 

Mr.  Ten  Eyke  bowed  in  acquiescence.  He  had  in 
tended  otherwise,  but  submitted  himself  to  his  hostess' 
demands. 

'  If  I  am  successful,  I  shall  return  for  the — eh — re 
ward,  Miss  Barbara,"  he  said  aside,  and  Barbara  nodded, 
dimpling  mischievously.  Her  expression  aroused  the  doc 
tor's  suspicions. 

'  Where  is  that  fan,  Barbara?  "  he  demanded,  and  the 
girl's  eyes  danced.  She  drew  her  skirt  aside  the  merest 
trifle,  and  disclosed  the  fan  upon  the  floor.  The  doctor 
laid  it  on  her  knee  without  remark,  and  she  unfurled  it 
with  composure. 

'*  I  couldn't  endure  that  man  another  moment,"  she 
explained,  and  the  doctor  nodded.  "  He  couldn't  dance," 


192  THE  PANG-Y ANGER 

continued  Barbara  indignantly,  "  and  he  couldn't  talk, 
and  yet  he  had  the  assurance  to  be  taking  up  my 
time." 

14  Perhaps  he  came  to  eat,"  suggested  the  doctor. 
44  The " 

'  What  an  escape !  I  had  not  detected  the  cannibal 
istic  intent.  You  suggest  the  last  horrible  possibility  of 
that  young  man.  I'll  never  forgive  you  if  you  forsake 
me  when  he  comes  back." 

'  The  collation,  as  I  was  about  to  say,  is  always  an 
important  feature  of  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff's  entertainments; 
and  you  need  not  expect  me  to  help  spoil  you  with  com 
pliments.  Have  you  had  a  good  time?  " 

4  Yes — till  the  cannibal  king  got  me.  Don't  you  like 
my  gown,  doctor?  " 

"  It's  an  excellent  gown." 

Barbara  pouted.  4l  Aren't  you  going  to  dance  with 
me,  either?  You  may  have  all  of  Mr.  Augivine's  dances," 
generously. 

14  I'd  rather  sit  here  and  talk  to  you." 

"  But  this  is  not  a  conversazione;  my  brains  are  all  in 
my  heels  to-night,  and  they  are  eloquent'1  pleaded  the 
girl. 

4  You  must  have  a  dance  with  Bill  Hen  Deyo;  where 
are  they?  "  and  the  doctor  scanned  the  room. 

"  He  took  his  cousin  away  from  her  partner  and  they 
began  this  waltz,  but  they  disappeared  a  moment  ago," 
replied  Barbara. 

The  doctor  picked  up  her  card,  and  scanned  it  doubt 
fully. 

44  This  is  a  glorious  two-step,"  she  murmured  suggest 
ively. 

44  As  you  are  young,  be  merciful!  I  have  not  danced 
since  I  was  a  boy.  If  you  wouldn't  mind,  though,  we 
might  polka " 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  193 

"  Anything,"  exclaimed  the  girl,  rising,  "  only  do  not 
let  us  lose  this  delicious  music,"  and  they  took  their 
place  on  the  floor. 

"  Do  you  see  that?  "  whispered  Mrs.  Silliman,  and  her 
neighbour  had  indeed  observed  with  equal  wonder,  but 
would  not  admit  it. 

"  Dr.  Pomfret  is  not  decrepit.  There  is  no  reason  why 
he  should  not  dance  if  he  likes,"  Mrs.  Bead  replied 
quietly. 

"  Oh,  I  suppose  he  has  a  right  to  let  that  chit  of  a  girl 

make  a  fool  of  him  if  he  wants  to,  but  I  must  say " 

and  she  turned  to  a  more  congenial  gossip. 

Mr.  Deyo  had  led  his  cousin  Marcia  from  the  ball 
room,  and  swathing  her  in  a  wrap,  they  had  sought  the 
comparative  seclusion  of  the  veranda.  The  night  grew 
colder  as  it  waned,  and  in  the  white  rays  of  the  rising 
morn  the  hoarfrost  sparkled  on  the  lawn,  and  the  Japa 
nese  lanterns  under  the  trees  waved  in  a  chill,  solitary 
breeze.  The  veranda  was  deserted,  and  they  sauntered 
slowly  down  the  length  of  it,  through  the  light  and  music 
streaming  from  the  long  window,  and  entered  the  shadows 
at  the  farther  end.  Here  Deyo  put  his  arm  round  his 
fiancee,  and  drew  her  to  him. 

"  Sweetheart!  "  he  murmured. 

"Now,  this  is  crowding  the  mourners!  Go  away — 
confound  you,  Billy!"  said  an  aggrieved  voice  in  the 
deepest  shade  behind  them,  and  Miss  Palmer  would  have 
fled  incontinently,  but  her  lover  stood  to  a  point  of  privi 
lege,  and  held  her  fast. 

"  Go  away  yourself,  'Bijah !  Any  place  is  good  enough 
for  you,  and  I  haven't  seen  Marcia  for  six  months,"  he 
retorted,  laughing,  and  Abijah  beat  a  retreat  by  the  way 
he  had  come.  The  humourous  parentheses  were  scored 
deep  about  his  mouth,  as  he  leaned  against  the  window 
frame  inside,  but  when  he  saw  the  doctor  dancing  away 


194  THE  PANG-YANGER 

for  very  dear  life,  a  preternatural  gravity  settled  upon 

his  features. 

Dr.  Pomfret  was  perfectly  indifferent  to  the  criticism 
he  knew  he  was  exciting,  and  Barbara  lent  the  rhythm  of 
her  grace  to  his  unpractised  steps  in  blissful  ignorance  of 
it;  but  Abijah  promptly  imputed  to  her  a  wanton  malice 
in  the  expose  of  his  friend's  infatuation.  He  could  feel 
the  stir  of  comment  in  the  room,  as  observation  focussed 
on  them:  but  he  was  obliged  to  reverse  his  opinion  as  he 
watched  them.  Music  etherealised  this  girl.  There  was 
a  quality  of  faery  in  her  dancing  which  transformed  the 
functions  to  a  mode  of  being,  wherein  consciousness  was 
sustained  by  harmony.  She  floated  like  a  sprite  upon  the 
doctor's  arm,  and  her  dainty  joy  compelled  participation 
in  all  beholders.  The  good  doctor  was  dancing  with 
an  unconscious  abandon  which  aroused  Abijah's  solicitude. 
He  turned  his  face  to  the  casement,  and  sent  a  stealthy, 
sepulchral  whisper  out  into  the  dusk  of  the  veranda. 

"  Bill  Hen!  "  he  called,  and  Miss  Palmer  prepared  for 
instant  flight. 

'  You  wait  till  we  get  home,  'Bijah  Bead !  "  warned 
Deyo's  voice. 

u  Come  in  here !  You've  got  to  lend  a  hand,"  said 
Abijah  with  insistence. 

'  What  do  you  suppose  that  awful  man  wants,  Billy? 
I  don't  want  to  go  near  him,"  Marcia  whispered  to  her 
lover. 

"  He's  bound  to  make  it  interesting  for  me,  because  I 
made  him  come.  I  suppose  we'd  better  go  in  and  see 
what  he  wants.  .  .  .  Congratulate  me,  'Bijah,  we 
are  going  to  be  married  at  Christmas,"  Deyo  announced, 
as  they  confronted  the  figure  in  the  window. 

For  an  instant  Abijah  hesitated,  then  extended  his  hand 
in  benediction  toward  them. 

"  In  that  case, — let  us  pray,"  he  said  solemnly. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  195 

"You  old  heathen!"  exclaimed  Deyo,  and  Marcia's 
beautiful  Madonna  face  flushed  softly.  Abijah  assumed 
a  forced  cheerfulness. 

"  I  will  dissemble !  "  he  announced.  "  Let  joy  be  un- 
confined!  On  with  the  dance!  And  so  forth!  Miss 
Palmer,  he  does  not  deserve  his  luck;  though  he  has  been 
a  fairly  decent  sort  of  friend.  May  my  loss  be  your 
gain.  We  should  always  hope  for  the  best—  His 

voice  trailed  off,  with  the  sound  of  tears,  and  Marcia  was 
forced  to  smile. 

"  Maybe  you  will  not  lose,  but  gain  a  friend,"  she  sug 
gested  very  sweetly  and  gently,  and  she  offered  her  hand. 

Abijah  held  it  for  the  briefest  instant  possible. 

:<  I  am  not  optimistic  enough  to  expect  that"  he  mur 
mured  with  perfectly  expressionless  conventionality. 
Turning,  he  wrung  his  friend's  hand  as  though  in  ever 
lasting  parting. 

"  I  wish  you  had  a  life  sentence  in  Utah,"  ejaculated 
the  outraged  lover,  but  Abijah  had  turned  a  harassed 
countenance  to  the  assembly. 

"  I  don't  suppose  there's  any  use  now  asking  you  to 
head  Doc  off,"  he  suggested  dubiously,  and  stood  aside  to 
give  them  a  view  of  the  room. 

'  By  Jove!  "  exclaimed  Deyo,  stepping  into  the  room, 
and  Marcia's  eyes  followed  his. 

"  Isn't  she  bewitching!  They  polka  to  the  two-step," 
she  observed,  smiling.  "  Isn't  that  sweet  of  her?  " 

''  I  thought  they  didn't  have  just  the  same  action  as  the 
rest  of  the  bunch!  Does  this  easy  motion  favor  Doc 
any?  He's  saving  his  wind;  lets  the  girl  talk;  but  you 
can  see  he's  stale,  and  he's  getting  pinker  than  it's  safe 
for  an  apoplectic  man  to  be.  I  didn't  feel  real  anxious 
till  it  reached  his  bald  spot.  Bill  Hen,  if  you  can  cut 
him  out  of  the  bunch,  without  stampeding  the  herd,  you 
ought  to  do  it.  I  don't  know  how,  but  I  hate  to  see  a 


196  THE  PANG-YANGER 

valuable  life  sacrificed  to  a  moment's  infatuation.     Cut 

him  out,  Billy,  if  you  know  how " 

"  Is — that — Miss — Hurst?  "  Deyo  asked  brokenly, 
and  Marcia  nodded — helpless  with  laughter. 

Abijah  was  taking  another  observation,  and  announced 
the  result  with  some  show  of  excitement. 

"  It's  around  behind  his  gills  now !  Bill  Hen,  aren't 
you  going  to  cut  him  out?  "  he  demanded  anxiously. 

"  I  never  boast!  "  said  Deyo  modestly.  He  was  look 
ing  with  a  good  deal  of  interest  at  the  radiant  figure  across 
the  room. 

'  This  is  no  time  for  persiflage!  "  Abijah  said  sternly. 
"  If  I  am  thrown  upon  my  own  limited  resources,  I  can 
only  choke  off  the  music,"  and  he  made  off  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  orchestra,  and  suffered  no  casual  greeting  to 
deflect  his  course. 

"  Will  he  do  it?  "  enquired  Marcia  curiously. 

"  Oh,  yes;  unless  he  thinks  of  some  other  deviltry  on 
the  way  there.  He's  too  late  for  this  number,  though," 
replied  Deyo,  as  the  closing  measures  sounded. 

Barbara  and  the  doctor  sought  their  old  places  in  the 
window  alcove,  and  the  doctor  wiped  his  face  and  head 
without  the  least  attempt  to  disguise  his  warmness. 

"Wh— e— e— w!"  he  said.  "  But  I  enjoyed  that, 
little  one !  " 

"  So  did  I,"  said  Barbara,  who  by  nature  was  of  a  con 
tented  mind.  She  folded  her  hands  softly  in  her  lap,  and 
sat  in  motionless  silence,  a  way  she  had  in  curious  con 
trast  to  her  speaking  vivacity;  and  the  doctor,  assuring 
himself  that  the  window  behind  was  closed,  draped  his 
handkerchief  across  the  back  of  his  neck,  as  extra  pre 
cautionary,  and  leaned  back  in  his  chair.  Their  little 
silence  of  good-fellowship  was  broken  by  the  girl. 

'  Why  wouldn't  it  be  a  good  thing  to  dance  when  we 
are  «whappy?  "  she  propounded  dreamily. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  197 

"  It  is  used  successfully  in  lunatic  asylums,"  the  doctor 
said  drily,  but  Barbara  went  on : 

"  Yes,  music  is  hypnotic.  When  I  dance  I'm  part  of  the 
lovely  rhythm :  '  whether  in  the  body  or  out  of  the  body  ' 
I'm  never  quite  sure,  and  certainly  don't  care  as  long  as  it 
goes  on.  Consciousness  is  drowned  in  a  stream  of  melodi 
ous  sensation.  Aunt  Helen  says  it  is  wicked — dancing! 
It  isn't,  is  it?  If  wicked  people  dance,  I  believe  they're 
better,  not  worse  for  the  dancing.  Don't  you  think  so?  " 

The  doctor  was  regarding  her  from  beneath  his  down- 
bent  brows. 

''  I  think,"  he  said  slowly,  "  you're  the  queerest  little 
girl  I  ever  knew.  Are  you  imp  or  angel,  nineteen  or 
ninety-nine?  Your  cursed  trick  of  knowledge  and  your 
blessed  ignorance  are  a  proposition  to  make  a  man  doubt: 
till  he  looks  at  you !  Then  a  man  knows!  " 

Barbara  flashed  around  upon  him,  amazed.  "  Knows! 
What  do  you  mean,  Dr.  Pomfret?  What  did  I  say?" 
she  demanded  in  consternation. 

"  How  Colonel  Haygood  must  have  enjoyed  you,  Bar 
bara,"  sighed  the  doctor. 

"  But  of  course !  I  was  never  called  a  '  proposition  ' 
till  I  came  north.  He  understood  me.  Not  that  there's 
so  much  to  understand." 

''  I  envy  him  his  insight." 

"  You  might  try  his  method.     He— 

"Yes?" 

"  He  just  loved  me — you  know."  There  was  no  mis 
taking  which  element  was  active  in  the  girl  now.  Bar 
bara  had  the  charms  which  allure,  and  the  doctor  knew 
she  was  not  always  innocent  of  their  employment. 

''  I  have  considered  the  advisability  of  such  a  pro 
cedure,  but — Oh,  Barbara !  Barbara !  what  a  witch  you 
are.  See  here  now,  I've  been  scowling  till  my  head 
aches  to  fend  off  two  or  three  young  cubs.  They'll  mob 


198  THE  PANG-YANGER 

me  presently.     Which   of   'em   are   you   going  to   dance 
with?     I'm  through!  " 

The  young  lady  swept  the  hovering  youths  with  a 
glance  more  effective  than  the  doctor's  scowling.  "  A 
regular  Hurst  look,"  one  of  the  unfortunates  remarked; 
her  girlish  insolence  delighted  the  doctor  hugely.  He 
had  never  in  his  life  enjoyed  any  one  as  much  as  he  did 
Barbara  Hurst. 

"  Boys  are  so  tiresome!  "  she  murmured  with  a  blase 
air.  "  I  shall  not  dance  this  set.  Now  tell  me  what  did  I 
say  so  very  dreadful?  " 

'  You  informed  me  that  this  was  not  a  '  conversazione,' 
for  one  thing.  Do  you  realise  I  am  jeopardising  my  best 
practice  to  let  you  make  a  fool  of  me?  " 

She  shot  him  a  sidewise  speculative  glance.  '  Thrift, 
Horatio,  thrift,'  "  she  drawled.  "  Yankee  ability  to  get 
value  received  is  proverbial." 

He  laughed. 

"  And  a  Southern  woman's  tenacity  of  her  '  inalienable 
rights  '  is  equally  so.  You  would  make  a  graven  image 
compliment  you." 

"  I  wonder!  Could  I  make  that  big  one  over  there 
against  the  wall  do  so?  " 

"Who?  'Bijah  Bead?"  asked  the  doctor,  following 
her  glance.  "  I  should  enjoy  seeing  you  attempt  it." 

'  Very  well.  I  wish  to  speak  to  Mr.  Bead,  please." 
Barbara  had  come  to  one  of  her  impulsive  decisions.  The 
secret  of  Aileen  Mahan  distressed  her.  It  had  seemed  to 
her  that  it  would  be  an  unutterable  relief  to  dispossess 
herself  of  it  to  Mr.  Bead.  It  was  his.  She  had  no  right 
to  it  without  his  knowledge,  and  she  had  suddenly  de 
cided  to  tell  him  what  she  had  learned. 

"  Do  you  mean  it?  "  asked  the  doctor  curiously. 
'  Yes!  "  said  Barbara  quietly,  though  her  heart  began 
to  beat  tumultuously. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN  199 

''  I  didn't  know  you  knew  him,"  said  the  doctor,  and 
he  motioned  to  Abijah,  who,  marooned  against  the  wall 
where  the  music  had  left  him  stranded,  received  the  sig 
nal  with  surprise,  and  hesitated  appreciably  to  respond 
to  it.  He  had  no  desire  in  the  world  to  meet  Barbara 
Hurst  again. 

;<  I  really  wish  to  speak  with  him.  I  do  not  in  the 
least  care  whether  he  wishes  it  or  not,"  said  Barbara,  in 
censed  by  the  hesitation. 

"  He's  coming,"  announced  the  doctor,  and  though 
curiosity  consumed  him,  he  got  heroically  to  his  feet  as 
Abijah  started  toward  them. 

:'  I  reckon  this  is  some  reckless,"  reflected  Abijah  as 
people  moved  aside  for  him  to  pass.  ;'  But  if  he  wants  me 
to  cover  his  retreat  I  suppose  I've  got  to  do  it.  I  don't 
believe  she  dare  cry  in  a  crowd,  that's  one  comfort;  but 
if  worst  comes  to  worst,  I'll  back  myself  to  outpace  her, 
after  Doc  gets  a  head  start." 

He  bowed  a  trifle  stiffly,  but  with  a  grave  composure 
when  he  stood  before  them.  People  were  watching  the 
movements  of  the  young  millionaire  with  unaffected  in 
terest. 

"  So  that  was  what  Barbara  Hurst  was  after  the 
doctor  for!  Every  one  knows  how  thick  he  and  'Bijah 
are.  Aren't  those  Southern  girls  cute?  "  commented  Mrs. 
Silliman,  following  the  byplay  with  an  eagle  glance. 

"  I  asked  Dr.  Pomfret  to  call  you  over.  I  wished  to 
speak  to  you,"  said  Barbara  with  nervous  precipitation. 
The  glaring  absurdity  of  her  intention  had  burst  upon  her. 
It  was  sheer  delirium  to  conceive  it  either  necessary,  de 
sirable,  or  decent  to  disclose  a  chance  knowledge  of  his 
personal  affairs  to  this  very  imposing  and  truculent 
young  man.  ''  Blackmail  "  would  certainly  appear  to 
him  the  only  rational  motive  for  such  a  proceeding.  What 
if  she  did  know  he  was  married?  Oh,  what  of  it?  She 


200  THE  PANG-YANGER 

could  imagine  his  sarcasm;  the  impulse  had  been  a  night 
mare;  it  remained  only  to  be  evaded. 

"  Take  my  place,  'Bijah,"  said  the  doctor,  moving 
away,  and  Abijah,  turning  the  back  of  the  chair  squarely 
to  the  spectators,  sat  down  facing  Barbara. 


XII 

AL  the  dainty  wiles  of  feminine  allurement,  the 
pretty  piques  and  coquetry  of  girlhood,  forsook 
her  utterly,  and  before  this  man  of  all  men,  most 
needing  her  savoir  faire,  Barbara  sat  trembling  so  she 
dared  not  speak.  His  attitude  of  cynical  expectancy  was 
maddening,  and  all  her  courage  just  sufficed  to  keep  her 
eyes  unflinching  as  she  met  his  mocking  interrogation. 
"  Do  you  ever  act  on  impulse?"  she  asked  desperately, 
thankful  for  the  screen  of  his  broad  shoulders  between  her 
and  the  rest  of  the  world. 

;'  Never!  It  wouldn't  be  allowed,"  was  the  grim  re 
sponse. 

''  I  have  to  offer  you  an  apology,  sir!  I  acted  under  a 
misconception  in — in  thinking  I  had  anything  to  say  to 
you.  I  am  very  sorry.  I  will  not  detain  you." 

Mr.  Bead  appeared  to  consider  this  no  more  than  was 
to  be  expected  from  feminine  indirection,  and  waited  for 
the  denouement,  with  an  air  of  patient  resignation.  Bar 
bara  fluttered  up  from  her  chair,  but  escape  was  im 
practicable  while  he  stolidly  blocked  the  way,  and  she 
stood,  in  nervous  indecision,  her  slender  fingers  franti 
cally  clutching  at  the  chair-back. 

"  Hadn't  you  better  sit  down,  Miss  Hurst?  This  isn't 
quite  fair,"  he  said  imperturbably.  He  did  not  mean  to 
be  played  fast  and  loose  with  like  this,  and  besides  his 
curiosity  was  aroused;  her  intent,  whatever  it  was,  had 
manifestly  not  been  a  mere  subterfuge  to  compel  his  at 
tention.  Her  distress  was  too  genuine. 

901 


202  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Please  allow  me  to  pass,  Mr.  Bead!  I  have  apolo 
gised."  The  words  were  imperative,  but  her  eyes  were 
suppliant  to  his,  and  he  used  his  power  mercilessly. 

"  Sit  down!  "  he  said  with  a  quiet  assumption  of  au 
thority,  and  she  slipped  like  water  back  into  her  chair  be 
fore  him.  For  a  moment  he  was  silent,  looking  down  at 
her  speculatively,  and  the  band  began  to  play  a  ravishing 
mazourka.  Barbara  knew  her  subjugation  was  complete 
and  simply  waited.  Neither  of  them  noticed  her  partner 
for  the  dance  making  furtive  efforts  to  attract  her  atten 
tion,  and  presently  he  went  away  to  smoke  in  sulky  soli 
tude  on  the  veranda.  Abijah  Bead  in  the  astonishing 
capacity  of  squire  of  dames  was  not  a  person  to  interrupt, 
and  the  palm-banked  bay  window  in  which  they  sat,  was 
given  a  conspicuously  wide  berth  by  all  the  curious  com 
pany.  Mr.  Bead  leaned  slightly  forward,  and  his  dark 
figure  almost  hid  the  rose-clad  girlish  one  before  him. 

"  You  were  going  to  tell  me—       '  he  prompted. 

"  I  stayed — that  day,  at  Giuseppe's,"  Barbara  con 
fessed,  as  simply  as  a  child,  and  the  man  smiled. 

"  I  rather  expected  you  would,  after  I  told  you  to  be 
good  and  go  home." 

"  Then  what  did  you  tell  me  for?  "  asked  the  girl,  and 
the  reproachful  unreason  reminded  him  of  Rob.  For 
some  inscrutable  reason  Abijah  never  quite  accorded  Bar 
bara  the  status  of  an  adult. 

"  I  expected  it  after  I  spoke,"  indulgently.  "  Before 
doing  so  I  was  actuated  by  a  humanitarian  impulse  to 
shield  a  delicate  young  lady  from  an  unnecessary  and 
painful  scene.  I  saw  the  woman  was  at  the  point  of 
death;  I  hope  you  did  not  encounter  anything  particularly 
ghastly." 

"I  saw  her  die!"  said  Barbara  with  an  involuntary 
shudder,  and  she  could  not  have  looked  more  guilty  if 
she  had  murdered  the  unfortunate  creature. 


CHAPTER  TWELVE  203 

"  Giuseppe  told  me  all  about  it,  yesterday,  when  I 
came  home.  I  don't  want  to  rub  it  in,  Miss  Hurst,  but  I 
can't  help  reminding  you  that  '  you  wouldn't  take  my 
device,  and  ye  see  what's  come  of  it.'  '  The  reminiscence 
did  not  amuse  Barbara. 

"He  had  no  right!  I  forbade  him  strictly!"  she 
flashed,  and  Abijah  shrugged,  irresponsible  for  the 
treacherous  Italian. 

"  Then  you  know  who  she  was?  "  she  said  in  a  low 
voice. 

"Who  she  was,  that  woman?  No!  Do  you?'1'1  de 
manded  Abijah,  searching  his  conscience  for  forgotten 
derelictions  toward  this  miserable  one,  and  finding  it  void 
of  offence,  in  any  particular.  Barbara  did  not  answer 
verbally,  but  her  face  was  a  transparency.  He  fell  back 
in  his  chair,  dropping  his  arms  beside  him  in  limp  resig 
nation. 

"  Don't  prolong  the  dramatic  suspense,"  he  mocked, 
"  don't  hesitate  to  bring  my  villainy  right  home  to  me. 
I  dare  say  I  did  it,  whatever  it  was,  but  by  the  great  horn 
spoon,  I'll  '  see  that  her  grave  is  kept  green  '  if  I  can 
imagine  who  she  was,  or  what  you're  driving  at !  "  he 
averred,  and  Barbara  believed  him. 

"  Her  name  was  Aileen  Mahan,"  she  told  him,  with  a 
sense  of  relief  in  confession. 

Mr.  Bead  had  cultivated  self-possession  at  the  expense 
of  several  of  the  cardinal  virtues.  His  face  was  in 
scrutable  now,  but  his  large,  loose  figure  knit  tensely,  as 
he  resumed  his  former  posture  leaning  slightly  towards 
her,  and  beneath  the  massive  quiet  of  his  attitude  seethed 
a  sudden,  sullen  anger  and  the  impotent  bitterness  of  de 
feat.  Fate  mocked  him,  and  his  mouth,  hidden  by  the 
drooping  moustache,  was  shut  in  a  savage  line. 

'  The    histrionic   possibilities   of   the   situation    appeal 
strongly  to  my  imagination,  but  I'm  afraid  I  can't  act 


204  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  part  you've  apparently  cast  me  for.  Unfortunately 
(I  assure  you  I  regret  it  deeply)  I  never  knew  Aileen 
Mahan.  Will  you  gratify  a  natural  curiosity,  and  inform 
me  why  you  thought  her  identity  would  interest  me?  "  he 
inquired  with  biting  sarcasm. 

u  I — I  thought  you  would  wish  to  know  whom  you 
had  befriended,"  murmured  Barbara  lamely. 

'  That  isn't  good  enough,  Miss  Hurst;  I'm  sorry,  but  I 
insist  on  the  whole  story,"  he  said  firmly. 

'  You  must  positively — excuse  me,  sir!  "  she  said,  with 
a  last  flicker  of  defiant  dignity. 

"No."  The  definitive  was  remorseless;  his  eyes  com 
pelled  her,  though  she  struggled  and  drooped  away  from 
him,  with  a  little  tremulous  sigh,  as  he  held  her,  like  a 
fluttering  bird  in  a  strong  hand.  He  had  the  force  which 
bent  men  to  his  will,  and  this  slight  girl  swayed  to  it  and 
obeyed. 

"  I  heard  her  talking;  it  was  pitiful!  Over  and  over 
she  was  saying,  '  I  mind  him  now!  '  It  was  like  she  had 
almost  laid  hold  on  consciousness,  and  I  asked  her  who  it 
was  she  remembered;  I  don't  know  what  made  me,  only — 
it  was  so  pitiful,  Mr.  Bead,  to  die  all  alone!  She  an 
swered,  coherently:  '  Abijah  Bead,  I  minds  him  now,  I 
saw  him  married.'  That  was  all,  except  the  name,  and 
then — Oh,  it  was  awful !  "  Barbara  put  her  fan  to  her 
lips  to  hide  her  agitation,  and  Abijah  looked  at  her  cynic 
ally,  unfeelingly.  She  was  part  of  the  world  he  raged 
against. 

"  I  am  sorry  you  had  a  bad  quarter  of  an  hour  for 
nothing;  I  suppose  you  imagine  I  shall  wish  to  refute 
this  remarkable  testimony?  "  The  sinister  humour  of 
the  idea  moved  him  to  ironic  laughter.  Barbara  laid  her 
fan  upon  her  knee  and  raised  her  head  haughtily.  No 
one  had  ever  laughed  at  her  like  this,  and  it  stung  her 
to  defend  the  most  impossible  position. 


CHAPTER  TWELVE  205 

'  Refute !  "  Her  brows  were  incredulous,  insolent. 
''  But — why?  You  misunderstand.  There  is  no  one 
cognisant  of  this  but  me"  It  was  a  fierce,  blind,  little 
thrust,  but  it  found  the  joints  of  his  defensive  cynicism 
shrewdly. 

"  And  Miss  Hurst's — er — investigations  are  unmis 
takably  in  the  interests  of  science  only!  Oh,  if  my  per 
sonal  equation  will  assist  in  the  solution  of  any  cosmic 
problem,  I  hope  I  recognise  your  right  to  use  it.  As  the 
unconsidered  factor,  I  am  only  humbly  anxious  to  lend 
myself  to  whatever  worthy  purpose  you  have  condescended 
to  use  me.  Perhaps  it  is  not  necessary  I  should  under 
stand;  I  certainly  do  not." 

For  one  instant  Barbara  sincerely  regretted  the  con 
veniences  of  the  Borgia  period!  There  was  something 
of  his  own  fanged  savagery  in  the  girl  who  loved  and 
hated  him,  and  she  met  the  mocking  devil  in  his  eyes  with 
a  steely  flash  of  her  own. 

'  It  is  not  necessary.  It  is  not  possible"  she  said,  and 
her  lips  set  on  the  words  in  a  slow  scorn. 

Abijah  rose  abruptly.  There  was  a  necessity  upon 
him  to  get  where  he  could  swear. 

"Can  I  be  of  further  service  to — science?"  he  de 
manded. 

"  Not  at  present,"  said  Barbara  coolly,  and  he  turned 
to  leave  her,  oblivious  to  the  obligations  of  the  social  pact. 

"Mr.  Bead!" 

He  paused  and  looked  back  with  a  growing  apprecia 
tion  of  her  as  a  belligerent. 

"  Please  take  me  over  to  your  mother  and  Dr.  Pom- 
fret,"  commanded  Barbara,  rising  with  graceful  noncha 
lance. 

Mr.  Bead  hesitated. 

"  What  for?  "  he  demanded  roughly. 

"Because!"   said   Barbara,   moving  to  his  side  with 


io6  THE  PANG-YANGER 

the  composure  of  conscious  observation.     The  music  had 
ceased,  and  they  were  conspicuous  against  the  palms. 

"  I  assure  you,  Miss  Hurst,  it's  no  honour  to  you,"  he 
protested  grimly,  but  Barbara  laid  her  fingers  lightly  on 
his  arm,  and  with  a  shrug  of  his  shoulders  he  strode  along 
beside  her.  His  face  was  a  study. 

"  Did  he  do  it?  "  demanded  the  doctor.  Abijah  had 
vanished  instantly. 

44  Do  what?" 

"  Compliment  you." 

"  I  do  not  feel  like  you  were  entitled  to  that  sort  of 
confidence,"  remarked  Barbara  airily. 

'  Honour  a  physician  with  the  honour  due  unto  him — 
for  the  use  which  thou  mayst  have  of  him,'  "  the  doctor 
quoted  warningly. 

Barbara  turned  a  riant,  wilful  face  to  Abijah's  mother. 

"  Is  that  fair?  "  she  appealed. 

"  No,  but  it's  always  safest  to  humour  him,"  said  Mrs. 
Bead. 

"I'm  shocked  to  hear  you  counsel  expediency!  Not 
to  save  '  a  pound  of  flesh  '  even  will  I  resort  to  it !  "  de 
clared  the  girl. 

"  As  your  future  husband  I  think  I  have  the  right  to 
your  entire  confidence,"  observed  the  doctor  pompously. 

'  We're  engaged  for  the  next  incarnation !  "  Barbara 
explained  to  Mrs.  Bead's  look  of  astonishment,  "  but  I 
haven't  entire  confidence  in  a  man  -who  can  wait  so  long!  " 
Her  caprice,  brilliant,  daring,  provocative,  was  a  mood 
unlike  her  usual  unconsidered  girlish  mischief,  and  the 
doctor  stared. 

"  If  you  become  much  more  bewitching — /  shall  not!" 
he  muttered,  and  her  smile  was  audacious. 

"  It  irks  me  that  I  never  dare  to  be  as  bewitching  as 
I  know  I  can  be,"  she  confided  dreamily. 

"  Why  not?  "  he  asked  brusquely. 


CHAPTER  TWELVE  207 

"  Oh,  the  remnant  of  hereditary  conscience,  I  suppose. 
In  another  incarnation  this  may  not  inhibit  me,"  she  added 
hopefully. 

"  It's  rather  in  abeyance  to-night,  isn't  it?  "  He  was 
studying  her  critically.  Some  pent  excitement  was  evident 
in  her  diablerie.  She  was  surcharged  with  a  tingling 
magnetism  which,  he  saw  with  rage,  already  attracted  at 
tention  toward  her. 

She  swayed  ever  so  slightly  toward  him,  with  no  diminu 
tion  of  her  naughtiness.  ''  Don't  scold !  "  she  coaxed. 
Her  eyes  glistened  with  a  feverish  brilliancy. 

'  What  is  the  matter?  "  he  asked  gently. 

'  Why,  nothing,  nothing  whatever!  Only  I'm  nervous 
to-night.  Don't  worry,  dear,  I'll  dance  it  off."  The 
"  dear  "  was  unconscious  and  inexpressibly  touching,  but 
the  doctor  knew  it  only  gave  him  Colonel  Haygood's 
place,  and  sighed. 

'  You  ought  to  go  home:  you  are  tired  and  hysterical," 
he  said,  but  Miss  Palmer  was  introducing  her  fiance,  and 
his  advice  was  ignored. 

Barbara  met  young  Deyo's  glance  of  open  admiration 
with  a  challenge  unmistakable.  The  doctor  groaned  when 
he  saw  it. 

"  Do  you  care  to  dance  this  set,  Marcia?  "  asked  Mr. 
Deyo,  and  his  indifferent  air  misled  his  cousin.  The  band 
was  playing  a  most  delicious  waltz. 

"Why,  no;  I  believe  I  am  rather  tired,"  Miss  Palmer 
said,  and  Deyo  looked  at  Barbara. 

"  Are  you?  "  His  voice  softened  strangely,  and  they 
both  smiled  at  the  superfluous  question.  They  went  on 
the  floor  together,  and  to  the  scandalisation  of  the  com 
pany,  together  they  remained  for  the  rest  of  the  evening. 
Miss  Palmer  received  them  with  entire  good  nature,  when 
they  returned  to  their  seats  after  the  first  dance;  she  was 
a  phlegmatic  blonde,  and  accustomed  to  her  lover's  de- 


208  THE  PANG-YANGER 

flections,  but  the  doctor  was  acutely  conscious  of  the  com 
ments  rustling  through  the  room. 

"  What  a  flirt  that  girl  is!  '"' 

"  I  guess  she's  met  her  match  now  anyhow  with  Bill 
Hen  Deyo!" 

'  The  Hursts  always  think  they  may  do  anything." 

'  'Bijah  got  away,  and  now  she's  carrying  on  with  Bill 
Hen  Deyo.  It's  scandalous!"  said  Mrs.  Silliman  vi 
ciously. 

"  I  did  not  observe  anything  like  '  carrying-on  ' !  Miss 
Hurst  danced  in  a  perfectly  ladylike  manner,"  retorted 
Mrs.  Bead. 

"Humph!  Well,  she's  going  to  do  it  again.  Will 
you  see  the  way  Bill  Hen's  looking  at  her?  "  and  as  the 
music  began  again,  Mrs.  Silliman  nudged  her  neighbour 
sharply.  Mrs.  Bead  arose,  a  polite  rebuff  of  the  famili 
arity. 

"  I  think  I  must  bid  you  good-night.  It's  getting  late 
for  old  folks  like  us,"  she  observed,  and  made  her  way 
to  her  daughter. 

"Are  you  supposed  to  chaperon  Barbara  Hurst?  "  she 
enquired  severely. 

"  Chaperon  quicksilver!  "  retorted  Mrs.  Brinkerhoff, 
with  unfilial  rudeness,  but  she  circled  round  the  room 
and  sat  down  by  Miss  Palmer  and  the  doctor,  as  the 
dance  drew  to  a  close. 

"  It's  beastly  close  in  these  rooms;  let's  get  a  breath  of 
air,"  said  Deyo  to  Barbara  as  the  music  was  dying  away, 
and  they  spent  the  interval  until  the  next  dance  out  in  the 
frosty  moonlight.  Miss  Palmer  passed  them  on  her  way 
out  to  the  carriage. 

"  I  believe  she  would  dance  with  a  satyr  to-night.  She 
acts  like  a  little  devil!  "  growled  Dr.  Pomfret,  as  the  cul 
prits  approached  him  after  the  next  dance. 

"  You  are  looking  a  trifle  fatigued,  dear,"  said  Mrs. 


CHAPTER  TWELVE  209 

Brinkerhoff  sweetly.  ''  I  wouldn't  dance  the  next  set  if  I 
were  you." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Barbara,  deferring  prettily  to  au 
thority;  and  she  sat  down  before  her  tried  and  helpless 
friends,  and  openly  held  court,  the  undisputed  belle  of  the 
occasion.  Men  crowded  around  her,  contending  for 
fractional  divisions  of  the  few  remaining  dances,  and 
she  laughed  at  them  and  dazzled  them  and  held  them 
by  a  power  she  only  dimly  understood.  The  lancers 
forming  occupied  but  half  the  floor,  her  hostess  was  in 
censed,  and  the  doctor  watched  her  with  a  thunderous  as 
pect. 

"  Your  dances  are  all  mine,  remember,"  Deyo  bent  to 
breathe  at  Barbara's  ear,  and  although  his  words  were 
inaudible  to  the  others,  his  proprietary  attitude  was  more 
than  the  doctor  would  tolerate.  Rising  from  his  chair, 
he  descended  among  the  suitors,  carried  Barbara  away  to 
the  dressing  room,  and  sternly  bade  Mam'  Lilly  take  her 
home.  Very  much  to  his  surprise,  she  accepted  his  in 
tervention  without  protest,  with  something  like  relief. 

Mam'  Lilly  chuckled  as  the  wrathful  gentleman 
marched  away  down  the  hall. 

"  It  looks  plumb  pistolly,  lady,"  she  observed,  and 
Barbara  slapped  her.  Mam'  Lilly  hugged  her  in  re 
taliation. 

"  Ain'  yo'  had  a  good  time,  honey?  "  she  asked  tenderly, 
and  Barbara  laid  her  head  against  the  faithful  creature's 
breast. 

"  No,  I  haven't!  I've  had  the  worst  time  of  my  whole 
life.  And  if  you  ever  tell  any  one — I'll — I'll  send  you 
home  !  "  she  sobbed. 

Young  Deyo  was  waiting  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs, 
exhilarant  with  a  draught  which  had  gone  to  his  well- 
seasoned  head. 

"I   wish   I   could  thrash  you,   you   darned  jackass!" 


no  THE  PANG-YANGER 

muttered  the  doctor,  and  he  hooked  his  arm  in  that  of  the 
young  man  and  carried  him,  protesting,  out  of  the  path  of 
the  siren.  The  doctor  was  nothing  if  not  thorough  in  his 
executive  offices. 

"  That  girl  understands  the  game,  Doc,"  laughed  Deyo, 
"and  isn't  she  a  witch?  I  suppose  all  the  old  cats  in 
town  will  be  yowling  about  her  to-morrow,  and  there  isn't 
an  ounce  of  harm  in  the  little  thing." 

They  were  out  in  the  moonlit  street,  and  the  doctor 

dropped  his  arm,  and  glared  at  him  through  his  glasses. 

"  By  the  Lord!  "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  towering  rage,  "  I 

will  thrash  you  publicly,  if  you  aren't  seen  out  with  Marcia 

Palmer  before  noon  to-morrow." 

;'  Whew  !  Say,  Doc, — that  isn't  reasonable,  you  know ! 
Give  me  till  one  o'clock,  at  least.  You  can't  expect  me 
to  get  a  sulky  woman  out  of  bed  by  noon,  the  day  after  a 
ball.  I  mean  to  square  Marcia,  of  course.  We're  to  be 
married  Christmas.  Awfully  sorry  I  poached  on  your 
preserves;  s'posed  'Bijah  was  just  gassing  as  usual,  you 
know.  Seriously,  she's  the  dearest  little  girl  in  the  world. 
I  envy- 
But  the  doctor  flung  away  from  him,  and  went  on  alone. 
It  was  St.  Martin's  summertide  with  him. 


XIII 

NOTHING  at  all  was  heard  of  the  Delaware  as 
semblyman  until  after  the  holidays,   and  then 
things  began  to  happen  in   all  sorts   of  unex 
pected  and,   for  the  most  part,  effective  ways,  and  at 
tracted  attention  to  the  house. 

Abijah  Bead  was  elected  chairman  of  a  somewhat  im 
portant  committee  at  the  beginning  of  the  session;  and  he 
worked,  no  one  dreamed  how  he  worked,  to  familiarise 
himself  with  the  details  of  legislation.  He  wore  out  one 
private  coach,  and  went  on  with  another,  and  the  library 
clerks  drudged  to  supply  the  demands  of  the  insatiable  as 
semblyman.  He  could  work  eighteen  hours  to  the  twenty- 
four,  and  he  did;  and  his  work  on  the  committee  attracted 
favourable  attention.  His  methods  were  bound  to  be 
original,  and  his  faculties,  unstaled  by  routine  work,  gave 
an  impression  of  latent  ability  altogether  deceptive,  for 
he  was  doing  all  there  was  in  him,  and  he  knew  it.  He 
never  lost  the  feeling  of  a  charlatan  which  haunts  all  men 
of  ideals:  the  work  a  man  can  and  does  do,  compared  to 
the  work  a  man  thinks  he  should  do,  is  such  a  miserable 
thing  to  palm  off  as  success !  Yet  the  world  applauds  and 
envies.  Abijah's  world  did,  the  world  of  men  without 
the  artistic  perspective;  and  he  could  not  always  resist  his 
natural  propensity  to  exploit  their  shortsightedness.  Leg 
islative  debate  affords  scope  for  Homeric  jesting.  Abijah 
made,  at  first,  short,  swift  incursions  into  it,  by  caustic  com 
ment  and  demoralising  questions  harassing  friend  and  foe 
with  a  direful  impartiality  which  speedily  aroused  his 

211 


212  THE   PANG-YANGER 

party  leaders  to  deal  with  the  erratic  young  man  in  the 
interest  of  party  polity. 

The  Delaware  assemblyman  was  crudely  academic. 
They  demonstrated  this  to  him,  pointed  out  that  his 
scathing  criticism  had  jeopardised  an  important  party 
measure.  This  all  happened  far  back  at  the  beginning  of 
corporate  aggressions,  when  Trusts  were  first  anathema 
and  the  party  was  accused  of  collusion  with  them.  A  bill 
had  been  carefully  framed  ostensibly  to  limit  monopoly, 
and  Abijah  held  it  up  to  contumely;  denounced  it  as  petty 
class  legislature,  and  declared  it  unconstitutional.  It  was; 
but  the  bosses  tried  to  make  it  clear  to  him  that  it  was  no 
part  of  his  business  to  pick  flaws  in  his  own  party  meas 
ures,  and  the  metropolitan  press  published  his  picture  at 
the  top  of  screeds  on  "  A  Tool  of  the  Trusts."  Abijah 
objected  to  that  picture,  and  he  dealt  with  the  syndicate 
agents  who  thereafter  confidently  approached  him  to 
effect  "  arrangements,"  in  a  manner  which  was,  to  say 
the  least,  inconsistent  with  his  protest  against  the  bill. 

There  happened  to  be  a  man  in  the  Executive  Chair 
that  term,  and  he  sent  for  the  insurgent  assemblyman. 
The  Governor  (Mrs.  Bead  had  not  allowed  this  point  to 
escape  her  son's  attention)  was  a  family  connection,  but 
the  two  men  had  never  met. 

'We're  relatives;  cousins  of  some  sort,  I  believe,"  re 
marked  the  Governor  affably  as  they  shook  hands. 

"  So  the  women  say,  but  don't  you  care,"  said  Abijah 
soothingly. 

The  Governor  was  amused. 

"  Oh,  we  have  to  have  'em,  you  know,  relatives;  can't 
in  decency  ignore  them,  domestic  or  political,"  he  said 
suavely,  motioning  his  caller  to  a  seat. 

"  I'm  a  sort  of  Ishmaelite,"  said  Abijah  discouragingly. 

"  Oh,  no,  no,  no !  "  protested  the  Governor  lightly. 
41  That's  only  a  phase  of  political  adolescence.  Boys  at  a 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  213 

certain  age,  you  know,  always  want  to  run  away  and  take 
to  the  open.  You'll  find  us  a  fairly  decent  sort  of  folk 
all  around,  when  you  grow  old  enough  to  appreciate  family 
ties.  Better  make  up  your  mind  to  recognise  and  make 
the  best  of  us,  Mr.  Bead;  you'll  find  yourself  more — er — 
effective." 

"  I've  just  come  from  a  heart-to-heart  talk  with  Platt. 
He  makes  the  man  on  the  fence  feel  like  thirty  cents, 
but " 

"  He  isn't  worth  thirty  cents;  he's  an  unmitigated  nui 
sance — if  he  stays  there!  Strong  men  don't;  they  get 
down  into  the  field,  on  one  side  or  the  other,  and  we  want 
you  on  ours.  By  and  large  the  party's  an  instrument  for 
good,  and,  at  any  rate,  it's  all  the  one  we  have  to  use, 
and  there  are  things  to  do!  We  get  them  done,  some 
how  ;  and  considering  what  we  have  to  work  with,  it  isn't 
such  damn  bad  work  after  all.  If  you  dull  a  useful  tool 
before  you've  forged  a  better,  your  efforts  are  nugatory, 
destructive." 

'  I'd  like  to  destroy  about  six  out  of  the  seven  hundred 
statutes  annually  enacted." 

''  I've  vetoed  over  two  hundred  of  them  this  session 
so  far,"  observed  the  Governor  wearily,  "  but  this 
anti-Trust  Bill  now;  of  course  your  sympathy  as  a  capi- 
talist- 

'  I  play  a  lone  hand,"  said  Abijah  curtly. 

'  You  agree  that  the  aggression  of  monopolies  should 
be  limited?  "  the  Governor  enquired  suavely. 

"  Certainly,  but  this  bill  won't  do  it;  it  will  only 
harass  'em  and  give  that  inchoate  unleaven  increment,  the 
labour  trust,  a  pull,  while  the  courts  are  setting  it  aside. 
And  the  labour  trust  is  a  greater  menace  than  capital." 

''  Not  yet,"  said  the  Governor  quietly;  "  and  you  can't 
expect  to  legislate  for  all  posterity  in  your  first  session, 
Cousin  'Bijah." 


214  THE  PANG-YANGER 

'  There  is  no  use  framing  a  statute  we  know  will  be 
repealed." 

The  Governor  smiled  serenely.  "  Sometimes  there  is," 
he  said.  ''  Do  you  happen  to  know  who  drafted  this 
Trust  Bill?" 

"  No." 

The  Governor  named  a  legal  luminary  of  the  first 
magnitude,  and  then  for  a  few  moments  he  spoke  ear 
nestly,  and  to  the  point.  He  went  into  detail;  and  his 
explanation,  bald,  terse,  cynical,  and  practical  above  all 
things,  revealed  intricacies  of  policy  which  staggered  his 
attentive  listener.  When  he  had  made  an  end,  he 
had  very  neatly  and  quietly  flayed  the  presumptuous 
tyro. 

"  Some  such  bill  was  bound  to  go  through  this  term. 
We  needed  the  prestige  of  it.  It  was  carefully  drafted; 
it  couldn't  do  any  harm,  and  our  friends,  the  opposition, 
did  not  discover  the  flaw,"  he  concluded. 

"  I  guess  I've  strayed  out  of  my  course  a  whole  lot. 
I'd  better  make  a  break  for  the  mountains  and  raise  buck 
wheat,"  said  Abijah,  rising.  The  Governor  rose  also,  to 
lay  a  detaining  hand  on  the  young  man's  shoulder. 

'  That's  easy  and  satisfactory — raising  buckwheat ! 
This  work  is  neither,  but  we  must  do  it;  and  not  as  we 
would,  but  as  we  may.  You're  all  right,  Mr.  Bead,  and  I 
claim  the  basic  civic  virtues  myself,  but  we  must  bargain 
and  compromise,  and,  at  the  best,  outwit  pernicious  activ 
ity,  that  a  little  good  may  come  of  it.  It's  casuistic;  but  I 
tell  you,  when  a  man  bruises  his  own  consciousness,  to  save 
weaker  folk  alive,  the  scars  are  honourable.  This  isn't 
a  tract." 

"  Each  must  decide  on  his  own  degree  of  vulnerability, 
however." 

"  Yours  may  be  decreased  materially  without  making 
you  pachydermatous." 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  215 

"  I  am  not  thin-skinned,  and  I  hope  I  haven't  con 
veyed  the  impression  that  I  broke  out  of  the  corral  to 
avoid  the  branding.  G.  O.  P.  is  good  enough  for  me;  I 
didn't  catch  onto  the  reason  for  this  bill,  and  when  I  saw 
the  rest  of  the  bunch  taking  it  so  damn  docile,  I  had  to 
break  out  somewhere,  on  general  principles." 

The  Governor  laughed. 

"  Oh,  I  understand  that.  And  you  stampeded  the 
herd!  You  have  the  gift  of  leading,  and  you  have  al 
ready  defeated  several  of  those  six  hundred  objectionable 
measures.  Where  do  you  get  the  gift  of  gab,  Cousin 
'Bijah?" 

;'  I  wonder,"  said  Abijah  significantly. 

;<  It's  my  trade,"  said  the  Governor  simply.  "  I'm  a 
lawyer.  I  tell  you  my  experience  frankly,  and — we're 
clansmen.  We  both  have  a  strong  individualism  (we 
won't  call  it  egoism),  but  it  lacks  the  quality  to  leave  a 
shining  mark  on  history.  Submerged  in  corporate  effort, 
it  can  dominate,  direct,  and  raise  the  average.  The  qual 
ity  is  strong  enough  for  this.  You  don't  like  it?  But  you 
can't  help  it.  I  learned  to  use  the  party  machinery  when 
I  found  out  I  could  not  stand  alone,  and — I  think  the 
result  justifies  the  means.  I've  done  one  or  two  good 
things,  not  the  ideal  best,  but  good;  that's  better  than 
doing  nothing  at  all.  It's  a  co-operative  era ;  I  want  to 
help  you  if  I  can.  I  know  you  have  no  obligations  to 
respect,  no  factions  to  serve,  and  never  will  have,  but — 
you  must  not  be  impolitic,  or  you  might  as  well  go  back 
and  raise  buckwheat."  The  Governor's  hand  slipped 
from  Abijah's  shoulder  to  his  hand.  "  You'll  stay  here 
to-night  to  dinner?  I  want  you  to  know  the  domestic 
family  as  well  as  the  family  politic.  No?  Why  not?  " 

"  Oh,  the  strain  of  the  wild  ass,  I  suppose;  but — thank 
you,  Governor,  I'm  some  gentled,  but  not  quite  broken  to 
family  use." 


216  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"You  are  hot  in  the  collar,  aren't  you?  But  you'll 
settle  into  it  and  pull  with  the  best  of  us  yet,"  said  the 
Governor  with  confidence,  and  the  two  men  shook  hands 
and  parted  in  mutual  amity  and  respect. 

Abijah  wanted  to  be  alone  that  evening.  Coming  in 
from  a  solitary  gallop  through  a  driving  sleet  storm,  he 
dismissed  his  coach,  and  threw  himself  into  a  chair  before 
the  library  fire.  The  sleet  dashed  in  gusts  against  the 
windows,  a  deep-throated  bell  in  the  neighbouring  steeple 
told  off  the  hours  toward  midnight,  and  the  noises  of  the 
street  were  muffled  by  the  storm.  The  house  was  very 
still.  Rob  lay  asleep  upon  a  couch;  this  was  his  preroga 
tive  of  nearness  during  his  father's  study  hours.  It  had 
been  explained  to  him  that  his  father  needs  must  learn 
to  make  the  laws,  and  he  abode  a  tedious  process  patiently, 
but  he  was  very  lonely.  Old  Jerry  and  the  horses  they 
had  brought  from  the  farm  relieved  the  tedium  some 
what,  and  his  grandmother  and  aunt  had  essayed  his 
entertainment  during  their  visits.  Rob  was  polite,  but 
bored;  he  wanted  his  father,  and  he  wanted  him  alone; 
and  he  lay  and  watched  him  wistfully  in  the  evenings,  sel 
dom  interrupting,  as  long  as  he  could  prop  his  eyelids 
open. 

The  ponderous  figure,  supine  in  the  great  chair,  scarcely 
stirred  as  the  hours  passed.  A  little  steam  arose  from  his 
drenched  clothing,  a  very  horsy  steam,  for  Abijah  had 
only  changed  his  coat  after  his  wet  ride;  and  he  had 
stretched  his  great  legs  to  the  glow  of  the  fire.  His 
thoughts  were  pleasant,  flavoured  with  the  first  success 
he  ever  called  his  own,  and  he  let  them  follow  the 
smoke  of  his  cigar  into  all  sorts  of  desultory  bypaths. 
They  frisked  about  the  Governor's  exhortation  sportively. 
A  good  fellow,  the  Governor;  game!  Took  his  chances 
like  a  man.  Abijah  saw  his,— these  interviews,  the  inter 
est  focussed  on  him — and  well  he  knew  he  meant  to  take 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  217 

them,  too !  Scars !  Scars  were  inevitable,  whether 
honourable  or  not;  and  he  grinned  at  the  Governor's 
casuistry,  a  family  trait  which  he  had  not  inherited. 
He  wanted  success;  he  craved  the  assurance  of  per 
sonal  ability,  as  one  defrauded  of  his  birthright;  but  for 
his  soul's  satisfaction  he  was  fain  to  view  his  motive  stark 
and  unashamed,  without  sophistry.  Its  quality  did  not 
affright  him,  and  he  rather  thought  it  would  improve; 
meanwhile  he  was  as  near  complaisance  as  a  man  of  ideals 
could  be.  He  wished  old  Dr.  Pomfret  was  at  hand,  with 
his  sometimes  irritating  confidence.  The  picture  of  a 
woman  at  his  side  to  sympathise  with  his  success,  did  not 
occur  to  him.  It  was  a  man's  world  he  lived  in,  and  he 
had  found  that  he  could  lead  men. 
;'  Lady  to  see  you,  sir!  " 
The  announcement  shattered  his  reverie. 

'  What !  "  he  demanded,  looking  around,  but  the 
servant  had  stepped  aside,  and  the  visitor  entered.  In 
voluntarily  Abijah  rose  to  his  feet,  but  he  took  no  step  to 
meet  her,  spoke  no  word,  only  stood  and  looked  at  his 
wife.  With  a  superb  movement  Sarah  slipped  the  long 
cloak  from  her  shoulders,  and  the  sudden  splendour  of  her 
beauty  in  the  quiet  room  held  both  men  at  gaze.  She 
was  magnificent,  in  evening  dress,  with  many  jewels,  and 
her  poise  was  perfect.  With  a  gracious  gesture  of  dis 
missal  she  handed  her  wraps  to  the  reluctant  and  curious 
servant,  and,  as  the  door  closed  upon  him,  she  advanced 
slowly,  unspeaking,  unsmiling,  but  with  serene  assurance, 
until  she  stood  at  the  opposite  side  of  the  hearthrug. 
Then  she  looked  up  at  her  husband,  and  shrank  involun 
tarily,  for  his  face  was  devilish. 

*  This  is  so  kind,  m'dear!  "  he  said;  and  he  made  one 
stride  to  her,  swept  her  off  her  feet,  and  held  her  to  him  in 
a  brutal,  licentious  embrace.  Not  to  the  lowest  woman 
on  the  earth  would  he  have  proffered  the  insolence  of  such 


2i 8  THE  PANG-YANGER 

caresses;  and  Sarah  screamed,  screamed  shrilly  in  sheer 
terror  of  him;  and  he  crushed  her  voice  against  his  breast, 
which  heaved  and  trembled  under  her. 

"  Let  me  go!  'Bijah!  let  me  go!  "  she  panted,  cowed, 
horrified,  and  struggling  to  escape. 

"  So  kind!  "  he  repeated  hoarsely,  beside  himself  with 
passion,  lust  for  this  recreant  wife  of  his,  lust  for  revenge. 
His  hot  breath  scorched  her  face,  her  bosom. 

The  odour  of  violets,  a  perfume  of  the  past,  floated 
up  to  his  closed  brain,  and  wakened  memory  and  reac 
tion;  an  indescribable  loathing  of  her.  He  dropped  her 
to  her  feet,  and  stepped  back  suddenly. 

"Curse  you,  what  are  you  here  for,  then?"  he  mut 
tered,  with  rigid  lips;  and  Sarah  sank  down  in  his  chair, 
spent,  frightened  out  of  self-control  by  his  unexpected 
burst  of  violence.  She  had  not  imagined  anything  like 
this,  and  she  was  afraid,  horribly  afraid  of  him.  He 
might  so  easily  kill  her  here  alone  in  his  great,  silent 
heuse.  The  same  thought  was  in  Abijah's  mind  as  a 
vague,  incumbent  duty.  His  hands  clinched,  and  the 
great  cords  in  his  neck  swelled  ominously.  She  was  his, 
this  perfect  flower  of  beauty !  his  to  caress,  his  to  kill ! 
The  blood  roared  in  his  ears,  he  was  blinded  by  fiery 
scintillation,  and  caught  at  the  mantel  for  support. 

Wild-eyed,  enchanted,  Rob  sat  up  on  the  couch  and 
watched  the  scene.  He  could  not  see  his  father's  face, 
and  all  his  gaze  was  fastened  on  the  lovely  angel  in  the 
chair.  Without  doubt  he  was  sleeping;  he  often  dreamed 
of  angels,  and  he  held  his  breath  for  fear  he  should 
awake.  There  was  the  golden  halo  of  her  hair,  and  a 
face  whose  loveliness  the  child  had  never  dreamed.  It 
had  no  strangeness  for  him,  only  a  blissful  content.  If 
he  were  very,  very  quiet,  he  might  dream  for  a  long  time. 
In  the  morning  he  would  try  to  tell  his  father. 

u  I  came,"  said  Sarah,  with  heroic  effort  at  composure, 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  219 

"  I  came  because  I  could  not  see  you  in  Hurstville.  I  wish 
to  make  some  arrangements.  We  can't  go  on  like  this." 
Becoming  conscious  of  the  ecstatic  dreamer  on  the  couch, 
she  hesitated. 

Only  her  voice  reached  Abijah,  the  import  of  her 
words  escaped.  Something  was  happening  in  his  brain, 
and  he  fought  against  a  sluggish  helplessness,  for  vision 
and  a  ray  of  lucid  thought.  It  was  very  curious,  would 
pass,  of  course.  He  waited.  His  bloodshot  eyes  would 
have  alarmed  his  son,  but  Rob  was  looking  only  at  the 
angel  of  his  dream.  She  seemed  disturbed;  perhaps  be 
cause  she  did  not  have  a  harp.  His  ears  were  wonder- 
deafened  to  the  import  of  her  words. 

''  I  can't  talk  with  the  child  here,"  said  the  angel  pet 
tishly. 

The  child!  Abijah's  brain  responded  to  the  word. 
He  made  a  desperate  effort  and  spoke,  his  words  thick 
and  slow. 

-Where— is— he?" 

"Why,  he's  on  the  couch  of  course!  "  she  said.  "Are 
you — ill?  "  He  had  frightened  her  so  thoroughly  that  she 
looked  for  any  horror.  It  was  borne  in  upon  her  slowly 
that  the  man  was  helpless.  '  You  look  very  strangely, 
'Bijah,  shall  I— what  shall  I  do?" 

;'  Nothing!  "  The  cloud  was  lifting.  He  released  his 
hold  upon  the  mantel,  and,  clasping  his  head  in  his  hands, 
staggered  across  the  room  to  a  window,  fumbling  with  the 
catch. 

"  Do  you  want  to  open  it?  "  Sarah  followed  him  in 
trepidation  and  threw  the  sash  up.  The  sleet  dashed  in 
upon  them,  and  he  thrust  his  head  far  out  in  the  storm, 
taking  long  quivering  breaths  of  the  cold  air.  p<  I  guess 
that  was  a  close  shave,"  he  reflected.  "  God!  I'm  glad  I 
didn't  croak  before  her!  Wonder  if  she  knew  she  was  so 
near  bereft." 


220  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Sarah  realised  it.  She  had  gone  to  his  assistance  only 
in  pure  fear  of  him,  and  she  went  back  to  her  chair,  pray 
ing  fervently  to  whatever  power  in  the  universe  had  her  in 
its  keeping: 

"Oh,  God — let  him  die!  Let  him  die!  Let  him 
die!  Dear  God,  let  him  die  now!  " 

Everything  would  be  so  easy,  if  Abijah  only  died. 
Such  an  idea  of  relief  had  not  before  occurred  to  her,  he 
was  so  large,  so  very  vital !  The  hope  of  his  immediate 
demise  was  dissipated  as  the  window  closed.  She  heard 
him  plod  heavily  over  to  Rob's  couch. 

"  It's  bedtime,  pard!  "  he  said  in  a  thick  voice.  He 
did  not  stoop  to  lift  the  child,  he  dared  not,  his  head  was 
throbbing  so  tremendously;  but  Rob  climbed  up  into  his 
arms  and  the  little  hands  went  around  his  neck  confid 
ingly,  but  the  wondering  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  angel 
till  they  left  the  room. 

"  Was  it  a  dream,  fa-father? "  Rob  whispered  as 
they  went  up  the  stairs.  He  was  not  sure  he  was  awake 
yet,  because  his  father  never  leaned  upon  the  banister 
and  went  so  heavily  as  now.  'Was  it  a  dream?"  he 
repeated  softly  at  his  ear. 

"  It  was  a  regular  nightmare,"  said  Abijah  grimly. 

u  Oh,  was  it?  I  thought  it  was  an  angel!  "  said  Rob 
drowsily,  for  the  vision  had  faded. 

Abijah's  big  head  was  uncommonly  sleek  and  damp 
from  copious  applications  of  ice  water,  when  he  returned 
to  the  library,  but  despite  the  pain  which  threatened  to 
disarticulate  his  cranium,  he  had  himself  in  hand,  and  took 
his  stand  again  beside  the  mantel  with  a  curious  sense  of 
personal  remoteness  from  the  situation.  Sarah  also  had 
recovered  her  composure  in  his  absence,  but  she  was  ever 
a  woman  slow  and  scant  of  speech,  prone  to  act  and  not 
discuss  the  act,  and  she  waited  now  for  him  to  break  the 
silence. 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  221 

"  Has  Ben  sent  you  back?  "  he  enquired  brutally,  as  he 
lighted  a  cigar. 

:'  He  insisted  that  we  should  come  home,  I  preferred 
to  remain  in  England,"  she  said  steadily,  ignoring  the 
insult. 

'  That  was  not  exactly  my  meaning.  I'm  wondering 
why  you  are  here,  in  my  house." 

'We  must  come  to  some  understanding,  'Bijah;  we 
simply  can't  all  go  back  to  Hurstville." 

Abijah  smoked  in  silence.  Evidently  he  meant  to  be  as 
difficult  as  possible,  and  Sarah  perforce  continued,  un 
questioned. 

'  I  know  you  are  determined  to  disgrace  me,  but  if  you 
care  for  the  child,  that  is  not  showing  him  much  con 
sideration." 

'  We're  doing  as  well  as  can  be  expected,  thank  you, 
ma'am,"  he  said  comfortably. 
She  bit  her  lip  sharply. 

'Why  do  you  persecute  me?  I  have  not  harmed 
you,  being  the  mother  of  your  son;  and  I  shall  never  come 
back  to  you,  no  matter  what  happens." 

Abijah  took  his  cigar  from  his  mouth  and  stared  at 
her  in  sheer  astonishment. 

'  Why — good  Lord,  Sally,  I  don't  want  you !  "  he  ex 
claimed.  ''  I  wish  I  did;  I'd  have  you  somehow  or  other, 
if  I  toppled  down  the  universe  for  it." 

She  simply  did  not  believe  him.  She  had  the  woman's 
pitiful  belief  in  dead  love's  resurrection,  and  thought  the 
glamour  of  old  days  must  sway  him  yet. 

'  Then  what  do  you  want?  "  she  asked.  "  Your  life 
has  broadened  out,  you  never  need  go  back  to  that  hole 
in  the  mountains,  and  I  must." 

'  Yes,  gossip  has  it  that  Ben  is  obsessed  by  a  determina 
tion  that  his  son  shall  be  born  at  home." 

Sarah  flushed  like  a  girl. 


222  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  You  never  can  depend  on  managing  a  fool !  "  she  said, 
quite  without  heat,  but  as  a  pertinent  and  portentous  mat 
ter  of  experience.  "  I  wanted  to  remain  abroad,  but  he 
got  his  head  set  to  come  home;  that's  why  I've  come  to 
you.  You  must  not  confront  me  with  that  child.  What 
good  will  it  do  you  to  ruin  me?  I  shall  never  interfere 
with  anything  you  wish  to  do.  You  can  marry;  there  is 
no  proof,  no  proof  of  anything,  except  the  child.  And 
that  only  counts  against  me." 

"  How  about  Aileen  Mahan?  "  he  asked  slowly,  curi 
ously  watching  the  effect  of  the  words. 

"  I  am  sure  the  woman  must  be  dead.  And  anyhow, 
why  should  it  ever  occur  to  her  to  trouble  us?  She  was 
an  utter  stranger  to  us  both.  I  dare  say  she  went  back 
to  Ireland  after  Mr.  Sewell  died." 

"  And  do  you  mean  to  tell  me,"  he  demanded,  incredu 
lous,  "  that  you  had  the  temerity  to  go  ahead  without  being 
sure  of  her?  " 

"  I  tried  my  best  to  find  her,  but  I  could  get  no  trace 
of  her." 

'  Well,  by  Jove!  "  he  ejaculated;  then  after  a  moment 
of  amazement,  "  I've  had  better  luck,"  he  said  maliciously, 
and  watched  results.  They  should  have  satisfied  an  in 
quisitor,  for  she  blanched  slowly,  until  her  face  was  colour 
less,  and  livid  imprints  of  his  savage  fingers  stood  out  upon 
the  palid  whiteness  of  frfer  breast  and  shoulder;  but  she 
held  herself  erect  and  very  still,  and  did  not  flinch  nor 
tremble. 

'  Where  is  she?  "  she  asked,  after  a  long  pause. 

"  In  the  potter's  field  at  home,"  he  answered,  each  de 
tail  a  lash  of  self-contempt  he  would  not  spare  himself. 
''  I  buried  her,  and  put  up  a  sweet  thing  in  monuments. 
As  I  didn't  know  her  age,  I  just  put  '  In  Memoriam  ' 
under  her  name,  and  the  date  of  our  marriage;  I  suppose 
that  date  is  down  in  the  book  of  the  Recording  Angel, 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  223 

but  that  isn't  real  accessible,  and  this  is.     The  monument 
is  conspicuous.      '  He  who  rides  may  read.'  ' 

Oh,  a  very  cur,  he  felt,  a  very  cur!  And  her  acceptance 
of  his  retaliation  as  a  thing  to  be  expected,  made  him 
wild.  Sarah  never  spent  herself  upon  reproaches  or  re 
criminations.  She  faced  the  inevitable  with  a  practical, 
deliberate  survey  of  the  probabilities,  which  seemed  like 
patient  resignation. 

''  I  suppose  you  will  divorce  me,"  she  concluded,  and 
Abijah  burst  out  in  savage  fulminations,  blasphemous 
and  irrelevant,  as  far  as  she  could  see,  for  he  only  cursed 
the  nature  of  things  in  general.  "  What's  the  use,  what 
in  hell's  the  use  of  doing  anything  now?"  he  ended  un 
expectedly. 

She  did  not  scruple  to  accept  the  benefit  of  his  con 
temptuous  magnanimity. 

"  Of  course,  what  is  done  cannot  be  undone;  and  I  will 
never  interfere  with  anything  you  wish  to  do."  Her  evi 
dent  good  faith  in  the  unholy  pact  she  offered  struck 
him  with  a  helpless  sense  of  her  moral  obtuseness.  She  was 
one  to  whom  desire  is  vindication;  and  after  all,  sin  is  rela 
tive.  If  executive  clemency  does  not  extend  to  the  extrem- 
est  moral  variation,  creation's  stultified.  Abijah  did  not 
consciously  bring  this  general  principle  into  their  personal 
relations.  Instead,  he  told  himself,  derisively,  he  could 
not  punish  her,  because  he  could  not  bear  to  see  her  suffer. 
Curiosity,  however,  prompted  him  to  brace  himself,  and 
give  the  rack  one  last  experimental  screw  before  he  let 
her  go. 

'  You  are  certainly  one  of  the  Lord's  irresponsibles ! 
But  unfortunately  for  your  little  arrangement,  Aileen 
Mahan  made  her  deposition  in  the  presence  of  a  third 
party,"  he  said.  Sarah  stood  it  admirably.  She  deliber 
ated  on  this  complication  before  she  asked: 

"Who  was  it?" 


224  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Never  mind  who.  No  one  who  will  ever  interfere 
with  us."  There  was  something  in  his  tone,  as  he  thought 
of  the  unwilling  recipient  of  their  secret,  which  caught  his 
wife's  attention,  and  he  dumbly  cursed  a  woman's  intuition 
when  she  asked : 

"Was  it  Barbara  Hurst?" 

"  Lord — no!"  he  exclaimed,  lying  with  fluent  automa 
tism.  "  How  on  earth  could  you  imagine  a  Hurst  mixed 
up  with  such  a  dirty  village  scandal !  " 

Now  this,  reasonably  enough,  convinced  Sarah  that  she 
was  superseded;  which  was  humiliating,  but  might  be 
profitable. 

"  I  have  heard  that  she  is  decidedly  '  mixed  up  '  with 
your  affairs;  that  you  are,  in  fact,  paying  her  marked  at 
tention.  You  can  marry  her  without  divorcing  me.  It 
isn't  as  if  there  was  any  proof." 

"Drop  it!"  thundered  Abijah  peremptorily.  He  lit 
a  fresh  cigar  and  smoked  furiously.  "  Damn  it,  Sally, 
I'm  sick  of  this  whole  business!"  he  said,  tossing  his 
cigar  into  the  fire.  How  a  headache  knocked  a  man  up, 
to  be  sure !  And  women  had  them  often !  He  looked 
down  on  his  wife  with  a  curious  compassion  for  the  sex. 
He  reflected  that,  if  he  had  been  a  woman,  he  would  have 
been  so  mad  about  it  he  would  have  done  the  worst  he 
could.  '  Will  you  help  me  set  things  straight,  as  far  as 
may  be?  "  he  asked  gently. 

"  I  shall  be  the  only  one  to  suffer  if  you  use  your 
power,"  she  said  with  significance. 

"  I  haven't  any  power  to  harm  you,  if  I  wished;  and 
the  Lord  knows  I  don't,  though  I  thought  I  did,  until 
to-night.  Aileen  Mahan  gave  me  no  legal  proof,  only 
a  half-delirious  recognition.  You  are  safer  than  you  ever 
have  been,  because,  she's  dead." 

Her  relief  was  visible. 

"Then,  you   won't  take  the  child  back  home?"  she 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  225 

said.     Sarah  never  lost  sight  of  her  objective,  nor  swerved 
from  it. 

Abijah  leaned  his  elbow  on  the  mantel  and  rested  his 
aching  head  upon  his  hand.  The  pain  was  well-nigh  in 
tolerable.  "  The  boy  has  homestead  rights,  and  I  mean 
to  maintain  them.  It's  asking  a  trifle  too  much  to  re 
quest  us  to  become  Ishmaelites  on  the  face  of  the  earth, 
and  spend  the  rest  of  our  natural  lives  dodging  Ben 
Phelps.  He's  seen  him,  anyhow,  and  if  he  didn't  catch 
on  then  he  won't  now,  for  the  boy's  growing  homely  as 
fast  as  if  he  gave  his  mind  to  it.  Another  year,  and  he 
will  be  nothing  but  the  son  of  Abijah  Bead.  I  hope  he 
will  not  be  ashamed  of  that." 
She  arose  and  faced  him  calmly. 

'  Then,  after  all,  you  mean  to  do  the  worst  you  can." 
She  stated  the  proposition  simply,  not  accusatively.  Acts 
were  all  that  counted  in  her  philosophy. 

'  You'll  have  to  take  your  medicine,  if  Ben  cuts  up 
rough.  The  little  runt!  I'll  pulverise  him  if  he  does, 
though— 

'What  good  will  that  do?"  asked  Sarah,  who,  al 
though  insurgent,  was  not  vindictive,  and  never  wasted 
effort  on  frivolous  side  issues. 

'  It  would  do  me  a  world  of  good,  to  have  it  out  with 
some  one,  and  I  can't  very  well  hurt  you;  not  deliberately." 
He  reached  and  touched  the  bruises  he  had  left  upon  her 
breast  and  shoulder  with  a  gentle  finger.  "  I  didn't  do 
that  with  malice  prepense,"  he  said  contritely. 

She  thought  his  resolution  faltered,  and  his  touch,  his 
nearness,  reasserted  the  old  mastery  over  her.  She  was  a 
woman  without  natural  affection,  and  she  had  remorse 
lessly  jugulated  passion  to  the  exigencies  of  ambition,  but 
the  inhibition  melted  in  a  vivifying  flame.  The  face  she 
lifted  to  him  was  warm,  sweet,  surrendering.  There  was 
no  mistaking  the  expression,  but  Abijah  did  not  move. 


226  THE  PANG-YANGER 

'  You  deliberately,  and  with  malice  prepense,  hurt  me 
worse  in  going  back  to  Hurstville.  Oh,  'Bijah,  how  can 
you  treat  me  so!  "  she  murmured,  and  the  inarticulate, 
elemental  note  of  longing,  touched  him  only  as  a  dream- 
remembered  pain.  His  arms  hung  flaccid  at  his  sides  as  she 
stepped  close  to  him  and  laid  her  hands  upon  his  shoulders. 
For  a  long  moment  they  looked  into  each  other's  eyes, 
and  then,  gently,  inflexibly,  he  removed  her  hands,  and, 
stepping  back  a  space,  held  her  at  arm's  length. 

"  I  don't  want  you,  Sally,"  he  repeated  wearily.  :'  I 
almost  wish  I  did,  but  I  don't.  You  killed  desire  when 
you  forsook  the  child." 

"  The  child  was  a  disgrace,"  she  said  bitterly. 

"  Some  men's  sins  come  to  judgment  beforehand,"  he 
murmured.  "  Mine  have,  every  sin  of  'em.  Being  a 
mere  man,  this  one  did  not  seem  heinous.  All  the  love 
of  my  heart  for  women  had  gone  out  to  you,  and  you 
would  not  have  married  me  at  all,  otherwise." 

"  No,"  she  said  quite  simply. 

He  crushed  her  hands  in  his  unconsciously. 

"  My  fault!  Of  course  it's  all  been  my  fault!  You 
can't  be  held  responsible.  You  haven't  any  soul;  nothing 
but  beauty.  And  you  gave  me  all  of  you — your  beauty. 
Why,  that  was  worth  the  ransom  of  a  king,  and  I — oh, 
a  fool !  I  felt  it  sacrilege  to  purchase  it  with  anything 
but  love  !  I  thought  you  understood,  and  God  !  the  sweet 
ness  to  a  famished  man  !  No  man  had  ever  craved  appre 
ciation  so,  and  I  gave  you  an  infinitude  of  love,  you  soul 
less  phantom ;  oh,  you  loveliest  illusion  of  the  sense  !  I  see 
nothing  but  beauty  in  you  still.  Nothing  but  beauty;  a 
law  unto  itself,  inscrutable!  Why,  it's  obviously  absurd 
to  hold  you  to  the  common  law  of  men  with  souls !  and 
I  have  set  them  yelping  after  you,  not  knowing,  not  realis 
ing,  till  to-night.  I'll  help  you,  you  poor,  pretty,  petty 
thing;  be  sure  I'll  help  you!  I  honestly  believe  that 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  227 

beauty's  just  the  one  condition  of  your  being;  and  I  can 
not  tell  you," — he  released  her  hands,  and  again  with 
gentle  fingers  touched  the  darkening  bruises  on  her  breast 
and  shoulder, — "  I  cannot  tell  you  how  these  marks  hurt 
me.  Forgive  me  !  " 

His  voice  was  shaken  with  the  stress  of  grief  and  tender 
ness,  and  her  bewilderment  confirmed  the  bitter  truth  of 
his  perception. 

"Do  you  mean" — she  hesitated;  Abijah  was  always 
so  peculiar — "that  you'll  help  me — as — /  wish?" 

The  man's  eyes  were  haggard. 

'  Try  and  understand,"  he  said  patiently.  "  I've 
shirked  my  responsibility  a  long  time,  and  now  it  looms 
large.  We  must  untangle  this — somehow." 

She  fronted  him  with  immutable  obstinacy. 

'  There  is  no  proof !  You  said  there  was  no  proof, 
and  why  should  I  incriminate  myself?  To  save  the  soul 
you  say  I  don't  possess?  I  have  intelligence,  at  any  rate, 
Abijah  Bead,  and  all  I  ask  of  you  is,  not  to  interfere  with 
my  affairs  hereafter." 

He  struggled  for  composure  before  he  spoke,  and  the 
veins  on  his  temples  swelled  with  the  restraint  he  put  upon 
himself,  his  voice  was  rigorous  although  he  meant  it  kind. 

'  We  can  be  divorced  quietly;  it  need  not  be  known  to 
half  a  dozen  people;  and  then  you  can  legally  marry 
Ben,"  he  said  quietly. 

'  We  are  legally  married,"  she  answered  steadily. 

"  And  legitimatise  his  children." 

'  They  will  be  legitimate." 

"  And  you  do  not  care !     You  do  not  care!  "  he  said. 

"  I  do  not  care,"  she  said  inflexibly. 

He  looked  at  her  for  a  moment  in  careful  speculation. 

''  I  will  deed  over  every  cent  of  property  I  own  to  my 
wife,  Sarah  Silliman  Bead.  Will  you  execute  the  deed?" 
he  asked  deliberately. 


228  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"No!  What  prestige  would  your  money  give  me, 
now?  I  tell  you,  'Bijah,  there  is  no  power  in  the  uni 
verse  to  make  me  acknowledge  our  relations." 

Abijah  crossed  the  room  and  rang  the  bell  sharply. 

"  Get  a  cab,"  he  ordered,  when  the  man  appeared. 

"Yessir!  But  I'll  have  to  go  round  to  some  stable. 
They  won't  be  no  cabs  at  the  cab-stand  sich  a  bad  night." 
He  glanced  suggestively  at  the  telephone  on  the  desk. 

"Get  a  cab!"  roared  Abijah  irritably,  and  the  man 
fled. 

They  waited  in  utter  silence  for  his  return,  and  in 
silence  Abijah  escorted  her  out  to  the  cab. 

'Where  to?"  he  asked,  standing  bareheaded  in  the 
icy  storm,  and  she  named  the  hotel. 

When  the  drear-eyed  dawn  looked  in  at  the  windows 
it  found  him  sitting  by  the  ashes  of  his  desolated  hearth 
stone. 

"  Sure  now,"  said  a  familiar  voice  from  some  vast  dis 
tance,  "an'  ye  haven't  bin  to  bed  at  all,  at  all?"  He 
opened  his  eyes,  and  old  Jerry  stood  beside  him. 

"  I've  had  a  rip-tearing  headache  all  night.  I'll  go 
now,"  said  Abijah,  trying  to  rise. 

Consciousness  revealed  nothing  clearly,  but  Rob,  who, 
with  his  back  to  the  footboard  and  his  feet  outstretched 
toward  his  father,  was  turning  the  leaves  of  a  large  book 
carefully,  without  a  rustle. 

"Hello,  pard!"  said  Abijah  feebly,  and  Rob  nearly 
fell  off  the  bed. 

"  Nurse!  "  he  called  in  alarm,  but  swift  steps  were  at 
the  bedside,  and  a  firm  hand  slipped  beneath  Abijah's 
head. 

'Take  this,"  said  a  cool,  peremptory  voice;  and  Abi 
jah  swallowed  meekly,  and  thereupon  lost  track  of  things 
again. 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN  229 

While  he  slept,  Rob  rode  over  to  the  Capitol,  and  in  a 
moment  of  official  abstraction  walked  unhindered  into 
the  Assembly  Room.  He  carried  his  cap  and  riding  whip 
in  his  hand,  and  advanced  to  a  clear  space  on  the  floor, 
before  he  spoke. 

;<  I  thought  you'd  like  to  know  my  father  ith  better," 
he  announced  in  a  shrill  little  voice  which  reached  every 
member  present.  He  was  exceedingly  gratified,  not  sur 
prised,  by  the  applause  which  followed.  Naturally  they 
would  be  glad.  He  retired  with  a  beaming  face,  his 
childish  dignity  untouched  by  any  reprimand,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  day  he  rode  around  to  several  other  of  his 
father's  haunts  with  the  news,  and  received  a  like  recep 
tion  everywhere. 

He  told  his  father  and  Dr.  Pomfret  about  it  the  next 
day,  when  the  patient  had  awakened,  limp  but  lucid. 

'  Rob  and  Jerry  are  having  the  time  of  their  lives," 
laughed  the  doctor,  "  receiving  dignitaries  and  powers. 
The  Governor  has  called  twice,  and  old  Jerry  sets  it  up  to 
'em  all — wine  and  cigars.  Good  stuff,  'Bijah,  you  needn't 
worry.  But  Jerry  made  the  medical  faculty  sit  up.  Had 
seven  of  'em  in  the  house,  and  the  rest  coming  when  I  ar 
rived.  They  seemed  relieved  to  hand  the  case  over  to  me, 
for  he  had  made  them  work  overtime.  I  wish  you  had 
seen  the  telegram  he  sent  me;  I  couldn't  imagine  what  the 
matter  was,  but  it  was  unmistakably  imperative." 

"Was  it?"  asked  Abijah,  vaguely  curious. 

"  Oh,  so,  so!  Don't  do  it  any  more,  that's  all.  I  al 
ways  thought  you  had  a  soft  spot  somewhere,  and  now 
I  know  where  it  is.  But  you  needn't  worry.  Especially 
if  you  keep  old  Jerry  at  hand." 

"  He  isn't  likely  ever  to  be  far  away,"  said  Abijah 
gratefully. 


XIV 

THE  May  sun  beamed  down  on  the  old  plaisance 
and  the  green-starred  stems  of  budding  bush  and 
tree  were  all  a-tremble  with  the  fluttering  of  nest 
ing  birds.      Mam'  Lilly  slowly  wheeled  Madam's  chair 
along  the  narrow  box-edged  paths  with  leisurely  investiga 
tion  of  perennial  favourites,  and  Barbara  loitered  along 
with  them. 

Each  growing  thing  in  the  wide  parterre  of  her  dear 
garden  was  a  joy  to  Madam  Hurst.  She  reached  eagerly 
from  her  chair  to  prod  the  germinating  earth  with  a  long, 
slender  bamboo  cane  she  carried,  and  the  pathos  of  her 
helpless  enthusiasm  moved  even  Barbara  at  times  to  per 
functory  attacks  upon  the  soil,  though  the  operation  was 
productive  of  more  satisfaction  to  the  hungry  robins  than 
to  the  hapless  chatelaine.  For  Barbara's  interest  was  at 
best  sympathetic  and  always  evanescent.  Beyond  the  prim 
confines  of  formal  walks  and  narrow  garden  beds,  the  tall 
hills  lifted  up  their  rugged  foreheads  to  the  sky  and  from 
their  heights  the  dryads  leaned  and  beckoned,  entreating, 
enticing;  and  the  voices  of  the  streams  were  calling  from 
afar. 

In  the  set  order  of  the  garden  ways,  the  girl  moved  with 
languid  restlessness,  haunted  by  the  wistful  memory  of  a 
wild  spring  ride  along  a  wildwood  road.  The  pungent 
fragrance  of  the  forest  came  to  her  on  the  breath  of  the 
morning,  and  the  pleasant,  bitter  tang  of  trampled  fern, 
the  dream-elixir  of  dewy  boughs  brushed  in  swift  passing, 
returned  with  overwhelming  power.  Far  up  among  the 

230 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  231 

hills,  the  roof  of  the  old  Bead  farm-house  was  as  white 
with  the  drifting  petals  of  the  apple  blossoms  as  it  had 
been  with  the  winter  snows,  in  the  long  silent  months  of 
the  master's  absence.  To-day  Barbara  had  a  feeling  he 
was  there,  although  there  was  no  news  of  his  arrival. 
She  dreaded,  with  a  delicious  fear,  their  future  meeting. 
for  her  love  had  grown  a  thing  beyond  reason,  and  she 
feared,  beyond  restraint.  Whatever  humiliation  fol 
lowed,  she  knew  the  joy  of  love's  expression  would  be  in 
effable.  She  said  to  herself,  exultant:  "  I  love  you,  I  love 
you,  I  love  you !  "  Then  she  glowed  with  shame,  as  any 
proper  girl  should  do,  and  swore  by  the  honour  of  her  sex 
she  would  abate  no  jot  of  dignity  for  love!  No,  not  if 
she  died  for  it!  Like  all  introspective  souls  she  watched 
the  antics  of  her  heart  with  a  subconsciousness  of  superi 
ority  to  the  poor  frail  thing;  and  she  hoped  very  much  that 
Barbara  Hurst  was  not  going  to  make  a  fool  of  herself 
when  Abijah  Bead  came  home  from  Albany. 

;*  My  tulips  are  not  as  fine  as  Mrs.  Phelps',"  admitted 
Madam,  with  an  impartiality  which  cost  a  pang,  and  Bar 
bara  promptly  stood  on  tiptoe  to  make  comparison  and 
disparage  their  neighbour's  gorgeous  showing  for  her 
comfort. 

"Hike  the  old-fashioned  kind  best,"  she  announced;  and 
Mrs.  Phelps  parted  the  curtains  at  an  open  window,  and 
waved  her  hand  to  them.  The  ladies  Hurst  returned  the 
salutation,  Madam  with  a  delicate  hauteur  entirely  ab 
sent  in  the  girl's  frank  recognition.  As  long  as  the  scandal 
only  smouldered,  an  acquaintance  with  their  much-talked- 
of  neighbour  was  inevitable;  but  that  Barbara  permitted 
something  like  intimacy  was  attributed  by  Madam  to  her 
granddaughter's  innocence,  while  Zillah  blamed  her  own 
misguided  initiative,  and  the  public  thought  the  presence 
of  Sir  Benjamin  Phelps,  the  Irish  cousin,  who  had  stood 
social  sponsor  for  his  American  kin  in  London  and  accom- 


232  THE   PANG-YANGER 

panied  them  home,  was  sufficient  to  explain  Miss  Barbara 
Hurst's  complaisant  attitude.  And  the  slander  only 
smouldered.  When  a  person  of  Sarah's  force  of  will  de 
termines  that  a  fact  shall  be  ignored,  that  fact  becomes  to 
all  intents  and  purposes  non-existent  for  him,  unless  to  the 
passive  power  of  memory  is  conjoined  the  active  force  of 
a  personal  antagonism.  And  this  was  peculiarly  absent 
in  the  general  reprobation  of  Sarah  Silliman.  Her  natural 
reserve  saved  her  alike  from  either  friend  or  foe;  and  as 
she  had  conducted  her  machinations  entirely  without 
animus,  there  was  no  reciprocal  malice  to  contend  with. 
Barbara  alone  knew  that  her  own  complaisance  was  de 
fensive.  She  was  furiously  jealous  of  the  woman  Abijah 
Bead  had  loved,  perhaps  still  loved.  How  could  any  man 
help  loving  such  exceeding  beauty?  It  fascinated  the  girl, 
and  her  vivid  imagination  built  a  bewildering  phantasma 
goria  of  romance  upon  the  hint  chance  had  revealed  to  her. 
But  the  misery  of  it  all  told  on  her;  shadows  lurked  in  and 
around  the  wide  young  eyes,  and  the  curves  of  the  fine 
sensitive  mouth  began  to  stiffen  in  the  family  line.  They 
took  life  hard,  the  Hursts;  Barbara  did  not  mean  to  do 
so,  but  it  was  constitutional.  A  whimsical  devil  tugged 
retardingly  at  each  grim  line,  but  there  was  a  growing  like 
ness  to  Zillah  in  the  thin,  dark  little  face.  The  girl  suf 
fered,  but  she  grew  hilarious  when  Aunt  Helen  pursued 
her  with  prognostications  of  "  spring  fever "  and  un 
savoury  decoctions  of  "  yarb  tea."  Madam  feared  the 
rigours  of  the  North  were  trying  the  girl's  constitution, 
and  Dr.  Pomfret  came,  and  jested  while  he  watched 
her  shrewdly,  but  he  did  not  prescribe.  He  thought  that 
she  was  pining  for  the  South,  and  the  very  last  thing  that 
any  of  them  thought,  was  that  she  was  pining  for  Abijah 
Bead. 

The  little  procession  in  the  Hurst  garden  turned  into  a 
path  parallelling  the  street,  as  Father  Varney  came  along, 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  233 

and  he  fell  into  step  and  conversed  over  the  sweet,  billowy 
syringa  until  they  reached  the  gate.  Entering,  he  saunt 
ered  for  a  while  by  Madam's  chair. 

"  How  lovely  it  is !  "  he  said  blandly,  looking  up  into 
the  soft  blue  sky. 

"  How  very  wwpleasant!  "  ejaculated  Barbara,  who  had 
dropped  behind  and  was  contemplating  the  struggles  of  a 
stout  robin,  to  drag  a  wriggling  and  reluctant  luncheon 
from  the  ground.  The  robin  was  successful,  and  she 
turned  her  eyes  away.  They  met  those  of  the  priest,  who 
had  left  Madam  to  proceed  alone,  and  was  waiting  for 
her.  The  girl  in  some  mysterious  fashion  always  at 
tracted  attention.  Her  own  ardent  interest  in  life  aroused 
the  interest  of  the  most  blase,  whether  they  commended  or 
condemned  her. 

'  What  can  you  find  unpleasant  on  such  a  day  as  this?  " 
enquired  the  priest,  who  enjoyed  sparring  with  the  trucu 
lent  young  heretic. 

"  See  that  nice  fat  robin?  There,  on  that  bough  above 
Mam'  Lilly's  head,  singing.  He  just  made  a  most  re 
pulsive  repast,  and  now  he  is  singing,  like  clear-voiced 
cherubim,  while  the  wriggling  segments  of  that  worm 
squirm  on  his  little  inside  and  stimulate  the  vocal  centres, 
I  suppose." 

"  He  passed  in  music  out  of  sight,"  laughed  Father 
Varney,  "  from  a  worm  into  melody,  from  material  to  the 
immaterial;  glorious  metamorphosis!" 

"  Psyche,  the  soul;  a  breath;  a  song?  Yes;  but,  '  alas, 
poor  Yorick,'  I  saw  him  squirm !  he  preferred  to  be  a 
worm  rather  than  a  melody.  And  the  transformation 
was  most  painful." 

'  The  dumb  resistance  of  matter  to  the  spiritual  forces 
which  mould  it,''  quoth  the  priest  with  an  amused 
side  glance  at  the  slender,  white-robed  young  philoso 
pher. 


234  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  It  hurts  usually,"  said  the  girl  sententiously,  looking 
straight  ahead,  "  and  the  details  are — disgusting." 

"  Contemplate  the  magnificent  ensemble,  then,"  advised 
the  priest  soothingly,  a  wide  sweep  of  his  hand  including 
all  visible  phenomena. 

"  Unfortunately — I'm  not  on  the  right  plane,"  replied 
Barbara  crossly. 

"  True.  Only  religion  gives  the  broad  outlook,"  com 
placently. 

"  Into  the  fog !  You  cannot  orient  infinity,"  quickly 
defiant. 

"  I  shall  not  argue,  on  a  day  like  this,  with  a  creature 
of  fire  and  dew.  What  has  set  your  '  sweet  bells  jangling 
out  of  tune  '  with  spring?  "  he  asked  with  kindly,  shrewd 
solicitude,  and  the  girl  turned  a  quick,  defensive  gleam 
of  mockery  upon  him. 

"  I  want  a  ride,"  she  confided  maliciously. 

"Then  why — is  anything  the  matter  with  Donna?" 

"  No,  but  Maude  Phelps  and  Sir  Benjamin  started  a 
while  ago." 

"Well?" 

"  It  would  look  like  I  was  lonesome  if  I  started  out 
now  in  the  opposite  direction  alone.  I  wish  some  one 
else  in  Hurstville  rode.  Why  don't  you,  pere ?  "  and  she 
laughed  softly  with  him  as  he  made  a  circumferential 
gesture,  for  his  rotund  figure  ill-beseemed  equestrian  feats. 

"  I  cannot  understand  why  you-all  up  here  have  such 
a  penchant  for  the  buggy,"  she  sighed,  as  Dr.  Pomfret 
swung  around  the  corner  in  his  and  stopped  at  the  gate. 

"  Make  Pomfret  take  to  the  saddle,"  teasingly  sug 
gested  the  priest  as  Barbara  left  him  and  moved  toward 
the  gate. 

;'  I  shall,"  she  said  over  her  shoulder. 

'  What  shall  you  do  now  ?  "  enquired  the  physician,  with 
a  general  salutation  to  the  other  occupants  of  the  garden. 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  235 

"  As  I  choose !  "  said  Barbara  absently. 

'  That's  of  course.  I  think  I  saw  some  arbutus  on  the 
mountain  yesterday.  We  can  lunch  in  Middleburg,  you 
know,"  he  said  suggestively. 

It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  Barbara  to  accompany  the 
doctor  on  his  rides,  but  to-day  she  hesitated.  It  was  not 
at  all  what  she  wished,  but  it  would  take  her  into 
the  hills.  Mam'  Lilly  had  wheeled  Madam  to  the 
gate. 

"  Glad  to  see  you  out  this  morning.  It  means  you 
slept  better?"  the  doctor  enquired  of  the  invalid. 

"  Ah — those  powders  incomparable !  I  haf  rest  so  I 
can  dig,"  replied  Madam,  gaily  brandishing  the  long  stick 
wherewith  she  had  prodded  the  germinating  soil,  for  the 
sheer  joy  of  it.  She  glanced  at  Barbara,  smiling.  "  Ma 
chere  Barbara  loves  not  to  dig,"  she  said  roguishly. 

Barbara  awoke  to  the  realisation  that  their  eyes  were 
expectant  and  fixed  on  her. 

"  I  thank  you;  I  think  I  should  like  to  go,"  she  said 
hurriedly. 

"  Quite  sure  of  yourself?  "  grumbled  the  doctor  sar 
castically. 

"  No,  but  I  am  of  you"  laughed  the  girl,  and,  open 
ing  the  gate,  approached  the  carriage. 

"  Ma  chere!  figure  to  yourself!  To  ride  without  your 
hat!  "  exclaimed  Madam. 

"  Oh,  ma  petite  Maman — don't  fuss;  Doctor  does  not 
care!" 

'  You  get  a  hat,"  growled  the  doctor,  but  Barbara  ex 
tended  her  hand,  and  he  could  not  refuse  to  assist  her  to 
a  seat  beside  him. 

"  All  the  same,  girl,  we  will  have  the  hat  before  we 
start,"  he  said  decidedly.  '  I'm  going  to  meet  a  dis 
tinguished  colleague,  and  must  maintain  my  dignity.  The 
best  hat,  Mam'  Lilly!  " 


236  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Mam'  Lilly  started  for  the  house  swiftly,  without 
haste.  Barbara  chirruped  to  the  horse,  and  made  a  sud 
den  grab  for  the  whip,  but  the  doctor  caught  her  hand, 
and  the  horse  paid  no  manner  of  attention  to  her  excita 
tion. 

"  What  have  you  been  doing?  "  asked  the  doctor,  look 
ing  in  surprise  at  the  grimy  member  he  held  restrained. 

"  Digging.  I'll  wash  in  the  first  branch  we  come  to, 
but  it's  no  use  now,  for  I  am  going  to  get  the  arbutus,  you 
know.  Mammy,  let  us  have  the  trowel,"  said  Barbara, 
stuffing  her  hat  under  the  seat  with  temporary  disregard 
of  chiffons. 

"  Now,  lady,  you  do'an  want  a  trowel  any  mo'n  a 
ha'nt,"  remonstrated  Mam'  Lilly. 

"  I  do.     It's  in  the  hyacinth  bed  or  somewhere." 
'  This  is  not,  primarily,  a  botanising  trip,"  remarked 
the  doctor,  and  gathered  up  his  reins.      Barbara  caught  at 
them. 

"  If  I  can't  dig  arbutus  for  Maman,  I'm  not  going,"  she 
announced. 

If  the  doctor  had  hesitated  for  one  moment  she  would 
have  been  out  of  the  carriage,  but  he  did  not.  He  started 
the  horse  on  the  jump,  and  Barbara  subsided  with  a  grace 
ful  acceptance  of  defeat,  and  waved  her  hand  backward 
to  the  group  in  the  old  garden  where  Father  Varney  stood 
like  a  benediction  in  the  background. 

"What  a  pretty  day!"  she  murmured,  looking  up 
at  the  smiling  atmosphere  through  her  long  lashes. 

"  Hump !  I've  said  '  yes '  to  that  a  hundred  times. 
Here's  the  only  decent  stretch  of  road  we'll  have.  Just 
see  what  we  make  of  it,"  the  doctor  suggested.  She 
reached  under  his  arm,  and  dragged  his  watch  from  his 
vest  pocket,  while  he  worked  his  horse  into  pace. 

"  Now,"  he  said,  at  a  certain  landmark,  and  Barbara's 
eyes  were  on  the  dial  when  he  said  "  Now!  "  again. 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  237 

'  3  130  "  she  announced,  snapping  shut  the  case,  and 
he  dropped  the  watch  back  into  his  pocket  complacently. 

"  Good  enough,  hey?  "  he  enquired.     The  girl  nodded. 

"  Is  Mr.  Bead  selling  off  the  whole  stud?  "  she  enquired 
carelessly. 

"  Oh,  no;  just  superfluous  stock.  He  has  to  go  west 
this  summer,  and  old  Jerry  does  not  want  more  on  hand 
than  he  can  manage.  He  wouldn't  sell  me  this  horse. 
Asked  me  to  keep  him  as  a  favour.  Wish  all  my  pa 
tients  were  as  grateful  as  he  is.  Understand,  young 
lady?  "  he  enquired  pointedly. 

"  Merci!  have  you  fixed  a  covetous  eye  on  Donna,  too? 
Because,  you  know,  I  was  never  half  as  ill  as  Mr.  Bead 
was." 

'  You  were  a  great  deal  more  trouble.  He  was  scared; 
didn't  want  to  leave  the  boy  alone,  and  he  did  as  I  told 
him,  which  you  were  never  known  to  unless  forced." 

;'  Is — Mr.  Bead  liable  to  such  attacks  as  he  had  last 
winter?  "  Barbara  had  waited  months  for  the  chance  to 
ask  this  question  casually.  The  doctor  had  found  her 
half  ill  with  anxiety  when  he  returned  from  Albany,  but 
had  never  suspected  the  cause. 

''  Not  unless  he  lets  his  angry  passion  rise.  He  under 
stands  he's  got  to  keep  a  hand  on  himself,  and  he'll  do  it, 
for  the  boy's  sake." 

u  Has  he  such  a  violent  temper?  " 

'Well,  'Bijah's  no  saint;  and  he  had  the  provocation 
to  arouse  one  last  winter." 

Her  interest  in  Abijah  made  her  shy  of  talking  of  him, 
and  she  dropped  the  subject.  She  was  heartsick  waiting 
for  him,  and  he  was  going  west  for  the  summer ! 

'  I  made  a  little  tune  last  night,"  she  remarked  in- 
consequently,  and  began  to  hum. 

"  Another."  The  doctor  assumed  resignation.  He  did 
not,  to  be  sure,  always  like  Barbara's  little  tunes,  but  he 


238  THE  PANG-YANGER 

always  liked  to  hear  her  sing  them,  and  she  knew  it.  She 
caught  illusive  melodies  in  the  air,  and  disclaimed  all 
responsibility  for  them :  forgot  them  unless  Zillah  worked 
the  phrases  out  on  the  piano. 

"  '  When  Love  is  kind, 

Gentle  and  free, 
Love's  sure  to  find 
Welcome  from  me. 

'  But  when  Love  brings 

Heartaches  and  pangs, 
Tears  and  such  things, 
Love  may  go  hang!  ' : 

She  sang  just  above  her  breath.     She  had  a  small  pipe, 
but  her  lilting  of  old-fashioned  songs  was  quite  delightful. 
"  Did  Miss  Zillah  get  that  down?  "  asked  the  doctor 
when  the  tune  was  over. 

'  Yes,  and  wondered  what  it  was  begun  for,  since  so 
soon  it  must  be  done  for;  I  could  offer  no  reasonable  ex 
planation.  There  it  is,  and  that's  all  there  is!  I  had  an 
idea  its  brevity  was  an  extenuating  circumstance,  but  it 
seemed  to  exasperate  her. 

"  '  But  when  Love  brings 

Heartaches  and  pangs, 
Tears  and  such  things, 
Love  may  go  hang! ' 

Barbara  hummed  the  phrase  again  with  special  em 
phasis  of  its  praiseworthy  sentiment. 

"  Sing  '  Phyllis,'  "  said  the  doctor,  to  whom  the  girl's 
old-fashioned  repertoire  was  a  continual  joy.  "  Phyllis  " 
was  his  favourite,  and  he  boomed  into  the  refrain  with 
vast  enjoyment  of  their  performance.  Their  vocalisation 
silenced  the  astonished  birds  in  the  trees  along  the  road. 

'  There's  Maude  and  Sir  Benjamin,"  said  Barbara, 
breaking  off  at  a  glimpse  of  two  equestrians  far  down  the 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  239 

road.     The  doctor  immediately  urged  his  horse  into  a 
trot. 

"  I'm  in  something  of  haste,  you  know,"  he  remarked 
significantly.  He  did  not  like  the  Irishman. 

"  Oh,  stop  a  moment,  please,  Doctor;  I  want  to  speak 
to  Barbara !  "  cried  Maude  Phelps,  bending  from  her 
saddle,  as  the  doctor  would  have  passed  with  his  custom 
ary  bluff  nod. 

"  Benjamin  and  I  are  going  to  ride  up  the  mountain 
to-morrow  to  see  an  immersion.  Will  you  come  too?" 
asked  the  girl,  while  the  doctor  restrained  a  restive  steed 
with  obvious  effort. 

"  Why — I  suppose  so.    What  time?  "  asked  Barbara. 

"  Oh,  we  must  start  early.  It's  miles  back  of  every 
thing,  a  place  called  Pang-Yang;  you  know,  Doctor! 
They've  had  revivals  there  all  the  winter  and  spring." 

'  What  under  heavens  do  you  girls  want  to  see  such 
an  exhibition  as  that  for?  "  demanded  Dr.  Pomfret  with 
undisguised  disapprobation. 

"  Curiosity,  Doctor,  curiosity !  Got  just  as  much  as 
you  have,  and  not  half  the  chance  to  gratify  it.  You 
come  too,"  said  Miss  Phelps,  who,  in  emulation  of  Bar 
bara,  affected  an  ease  with  Dr.  Pomfret  which  she  was 
far  from  feeling. 

"  I'll  go  of  course,  if  you  do.    Will  your  father — er— 
object?  "  asked  Barbara,  the  doctor  ignoring  the  invita 
tion  altogether. 

''  Not  unless  he  knows  about  it.  Benjamin  wants  to 
see  the  performance,  and  I  made  him  promise  to  take 
us." 

'  I  shall  report  you  girls,"  said  the  doctor  severely. 
''No,  you  won't,   any  more'n   a   ha'nt,   Doctor  dear; 
what  time,  Maude?"  asked  Barbara. 

*  Ten,"  said  Miss  Phelps,  making  a  moue  at  the  doctor, 
who  was  not  looking  at  her. 


240  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Extraordin'ry !  "  murmured  Sir  Benjamin,  watching 
his  cousin  with  lively  interest.  He  seemed  by  way  of 
being  satisfied  with  a  wife  something  less  beautiful  than 
Sarah,  notwithstanding  his  avowed  intention  to  the  con 
trary  upon  his  arrival  in  America. 

The  doctor's  vigorous  objection  to  the  proposed  out 
ing  quite  stimulated  Barbara's  languid  interest  in  it,  and 
they  wrangled  cheerfully  along  the  road,  and  drove  into 
Middleburg  before  either  of  them  remembered  the  hat  be 
neath  the  seat.  There  were  curious  glances  cast  at  the 
piquant,  bareheaded  girl  in  the  doctor's  well-known  car 
riage,  as  he  drove  up  the  main  street. 

"  Oh,  there's  Zillah!  I  quite  forgot  this  was  her  day!  " 
exclaimed  Barbara,  catching  sight  of  the  prim,  familiar 
figure  on  the  sidewalk.  The  doctor  drove  up  and  stopped 
beside  her. 

"  This  is  lucky!  "  he  said  cordially,  for  he  thoroughly 
liked  and  respected  the  elder  Miss  Hurst.  "  You  have 
plenty  of  time  for  lunch  before  your  train  goes.  Come  in 
with  us.  We  are  going  to  the  Holland  House." 

Zillah  made  haste  to  decline. 

"  Oh,  I  could  not  think  of  such  a  thing,  thank  you;  I — 
I  have  so  much  to  do,"  she  said. 

"  You  can,  if  you  will,  Zillah,  and  I  wish  you  would. 
I'm  worn  to  a  frazzle  with  the  doctor's  scolding,  and  if 
you  are  there  he  won't  scold,"  said  Barbara  coaxingly. 

'There  goes  Murrey  into  the  hotel;  come  on,  Miss 
Zillah.  We  shall  have  quite  a  Hurstville  party,"  said  the 
doctor,  as  the  little  druggist,  with  his  identifying  box  of 
specimens,  mounted  the  steps  of  the  hotel  down  the  street. 

"  I  cannot,  really,  Doctor.  Good-bye,"  and  Zillah,  mak 
ing  her  escape  down  the  street,  disappeared  into  a  store. 

"  Now,  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  all 
other  respectable  bodies  of  citizens,  why  wouldn't  she?  " 
Dr.  Pomfret  demanded  as  they  drove  toward  the  hotel. 


CHAPTER    FOURTEEN  241 

Barbara  pantomimically  expressed  the  inscrutability  of 
her  cousin's  conduct.  :'  Because  she  won't;  because  she 
won't  do  anything  except  the  best  and  most  exasperating 
things.  See  this  waist?  Well,  she  made  it  and  gave  it 
to  me  after  I  had  wasted  a  whole  day  and  lots  of  ma 
terial  trying  to  make  one." 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  Barbara,"  expostulated  the  doc 
tor,  "  I  believe  you  are  getting  industrious !  Digging  and 
sewing !  Last  spring  Madam  was  deploring  your  dislike, 
not  to  say  refusal,  to  delve  in  her  beloved  garden,  and  to 
day  you  fight  for  a  trowel  on  a  pleasure  trip,  and  confess 
to  a  day's  sewing!  Your  fingers  will  lose  their  conversa 
tional  eloquence,  child.  I  abhor  a  woman's  busy  fingers. 
They  distract  conversation;  they  minimise  your  grandest 
thought.  I've  an  idea  Bluebeard's  wives  counted  stitches 
in  their  tatting  while  he  was  holding  forth,  and  the  mis 
understood  sequel  was  the  logical  outcome  of  any  man's 
feelings." 

;'  Poor  ladies!  But  what  should  they  do,  if  they  had 
only  ten  dollars  a  month,  and  went  through  their  clothes 
like  I  do?" 

"  Save  up  for  a  couple  of  months,"  said  the  provident 
Yankee.  "  Can't  you  get  some  sort  of — er — a — dress  for 
twenty  dollars?  " 

'  Why,  of  course;  but  I  never  have  any  luck  saving.  I 
tried  it  last  month.  Deposited  my  ten  dollars  as  soon  as 
I  got  it,  and  told  Mr.  Ten  Eyke  on  no  account  to  let  me 
have  it  till  the  first  of  the  month.  Now,  how  do  you 
think  I  came  out?  " 

"  Give  it  up." 

"  I  had  had  to  have  things  charged,  of  course.  I  had 
five  dollars  after  I  paid  my  bills." 

The  doctor  chuckled. 

"  That  when  you  took  to  dressmaking?  " 

"  Yes;  I  bought  a  pattern  just  like  Zillah  does,  locked 


242  THE  PANG-YANGER 

myself  in  my  room,  and  simply  slaved  over  that  waist ! 
I  nearly  had  to  swear  at  Mam'  Lilly  to  make  her  go  away 
from  my  door  at  dinner-time,  and  when  tea  was  ready  she 
and  Zillah  both  came  up,  and  I  had  to  open  the  door,  or 
Mammy  would  have  burst  it  in.  Doctor,  you  never  saw 
such  a  waist  in  your  life!  I  was  just  trying  it  on,  and 
Zillah  laughed  until  she  collapsed  on  my  bed.  Mam' 
Lilly  didn't  say  a  word,  but  her  big  eyes  just  burned,  and 
she  took  that  thing  off  me,  and  then  she  ripped  and  tore 
it  into  ribbons,  and  carried  me  down  to  supper.  Zillah 
locked  herself  in  my  room  while  she  cleaned  up  the  debris 
and  put  it  in  the  rag-bag,  and  I  reckon  Aunt  Helen 
thought  I  was  sick.  No  one  told  her;  I  could  not  have 
borne  it,  then.  She  thinks  I  am  so  no  'count,  but  she  is 
awfully  good  to  you  if  you  are  ill,  you  know.  To-day 
Zillah  brought  me  this  waist;  she  is  always  doing  the 
loveliest  things  like  that !  But  go  anywhere,  or  do  any 
thing  like  folks?  No — she  won't!  " 

"  She  is  a  good  woman,"  said  the  doctor  with  hearty 
approval:  "  her  character  is  as  upright  as  her  figure,  and 
I  can't  say  more  for  any  one.  Personally,  I  prefer  a 
few  curves,  even  if  they  verge  on  the  serpentine."  The 
eyes  beneath  the  heavy  brows  laughed  down  at  Barbara 
as  he  handed  her  from  the  carriage. 

'  The  usual  masculine  preference  for  the  daughters  of 
Heth,"  said  Barbara  magnificently.  He  handed  her  her 
hat  from  beneath  the  seat,  and  they  walked  toward  the 
hotel,  laughing. 

'  You  run  upstairs  and  wash  your  hands,  and  tidy  your 
hair  like  a  good  child,  while  I  see  if  there  is  any  one  here 
we  know  besides  Murrey,"  said  the  doctor  as  they  entered 
the  house. 

"  This  is  my  fete  day,  I'm  twenty  years  old,"  she  con 
fided,  as  they  drove  homeward  in  the  late  afternoon. 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  243 

"  You  might  have  mentioned  it  a  little  earlier,  so  we 
could  celebrate.  How  did  Madam  ever  let  you  come 
away  on  your  birthday?"  enquired  the  doctor,  who  had 
settled  back  in  the  carriage  in  his  usual  comfortable  posi 
tion,  one  foot  on  the  dashboard,  prepared  for  the  long  pull 
up  the  mountain. 

"  She  has  forgotten.  Because  I  am  with  her,  I  sup 
pose,  or  she  would  have  made  a  fete  regardless  of  ex 
pense." 

"  And  quite  right,  too.     I  would  have  helped." 

"  I  wish  you  would  help  me  instead.  It  seems  to  me 
you  might;  give  her  soothing  medicine,  you  know." 

"  What  on  earth's  the  matter  now?  " 

"  Money!  "  said  the  girl  with  quite  a  fierce  little  air. 

"  Good  Lord!  Well,  don't  worry  about  a  little  thing 
like  that.  '  With  all  my  worldly  goods  I  thee  endow.'  ' 

"  Is  that  another  proposal?  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  like." 

"  Some  day,"  said  Barbara  warningly,  "  I  shall  accept 
you  when  you  least  expect  it.  I've  been  on  the  verge 
several  times,  just  to  see  what  would  happen." 

"  I  should  decline  the  sacrifice.  *  Youth  and  crabbed 
age  cannot  live  together;  '  but  if  I  were  ten  years  younger ! 
Do  you  want  an  advance  on  that  next  ten  dollars?  I'll 
make  it;  but  it's  my  duty  as  a  practical  man  to  point  out 
that — financially — that  way  ruin  lies." 

"  I  wish  you  would  be  practicable  a  few  minutes.  I'm 
in  the  most  ridiculous  position.  Economy  is  becoming  an 
obsession.  I  wake  up  in  the  night  and  think  of  it  some 
times!  " 

"  Horrible !  "  ejaculated  the  doctor. 

"  But  I  do!  It  has  become  the  chief  aim  of  my  life 
to  restrain  Maman's  infatuated  generosity.  If  it  occurs 
to  her  I  wish  or  need  a  thing  she  isn't  happy  till  I  get 
it,  and  Zillah  has  to  plan  and  contrive  to  pay  for 


244  THE  PANG-YANGER 

my  extravagances.  I  have  to  do  extravagant  and  selfish 
things,  or  Maman  thinks  I  am  not  having  a  good  time, 
and  is  perfectly  miserable.  And  Zillah  says  I  must  go  on, 
or  be  responsible  for  the  consequences!  She  won't.  Will 
you,  Doctor?  Couldn't  you  be  at  hand  and  tide  her  over 
the  excitement  if  I  explained  to  her  that  her  means  are — 
er — rather  limited?  " 

'You  poor  child!  I'm  afraid  Miss  Zillah  is  right, 
now.  Madam  is  intelligent.  She  would  require  an  ac 
counting  //  she  thought  of  it.  But,  by  Jove!  what  a  char 
acteristic  arrangement  all  round!  " 

"Characteristically  exasperating!  I  have  as  good  a 
right  to  earn  my  living  as  Zillah,  and  as  much  need. 
She  says  (I  had  to  drag  it  out  of  her)  that  Maman's  in 
come  ceases  at  her  death.  I  don't  understand  the  details, 
she  referred  me  to  Mr.  Phelps;  but  I  do  know  I  have  at 
least  no  right  to  such  extravagance  as  Donna.  I  could 
almost  break  the  little  beastie's  neck,  only  Maman  would 
immediately  buy  me  the  best  horse  in  Mr.  Bead's  stud  if 
I  did." 

Barbara's  unconscious  betrayal  of  Zillah's  quixotic  du 
plicity,  and  her  own  ignorance  of  it,  incensed  the  doctor. 
Ever  since  Barbara's  arrival  he  had  felt  a  smouldering  irri 
tation  with  a  certain  arrangement  whereby  Zillah  had 
punctiliously  made  him  the  mortgagee  of  the  Hurst  estate 
in  payment  for  his  services  to  Madam.  He  felt  vaguely 
and  resentfully  in  league  to  hoodwink  and  defraud  this 
girl. 

"  Confound  the  woman !  "  he  exclaimed,  half  laughing 
despite  his  annoyance.  "  She's  a  high-handed  executive; 
she  hasn't  any  right  to  put  you  in  such  a  hole.  I'm  blessed 
if  I  can  see  your  way  out  of  it  at  present,  though,  un 
less  you  get  married." 

"  I  have  a  better  contrivance  than  that" 

"  No  you  haven't;  but  what's  the  idea,  little  one?     God 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  245 

forbid  that  you  should  tussle  with  the  world.     You  are 
not  the  fibre  for  it." 

"  I  reckon  my  fibre  can  stand  it  if  Zillah's  can.  I've 
thought  about  this  a  good  deal,  and  I  am  trying  to 
write!  Poetry.  I'd  just  like  to  surprise  Zillah !  I  can 
make  one  verse  on  almost  any  subject  easily,  and  I  think 
in  time  I  may  evolve  a  few  seconds  to  tack  on:  though  " 
— ruefully — "  I  confess  they  come  hard,  and  show  it." 

The  doctor  roared. 

"  Poetry's  a  drug  in  the  market,  girl.  If  you  want  to 
write  you  have  a  handy  topical  pen.  That  election  ar 
ticle  was  good.  Ever  think  of  trying  seriously  in  this 
direction?  " 

"  No,  nor  in  any  other,  seriously.  '  Lightly  what  comes 
to  me  '  that  I  set  down,  but  if  I  try  to  coerce  my  brain  it 
goes  dotty.  Perhaps  my  writing  will  be  like  my  little 
tunes.  I  do  not  seem  to  be  much  more  practical  than 
Maman,  bless  her  heart!  " 

"  Bless  your  heart!  Do  you  suppose  there  is  no  use 
in  the  world  for  impractical  folks?  I'll  tell  you  what,  I'll 
make  a  will,  so  you  need  not  worry  your  dear  little  head 
any  more.  You  are  the  greatest  blessing  life  ever  gave 
to  me,  and  it's  no  more  than  fair  I  should  acknowledge 
it.  '  With  all  my  worldly  goods  I  thee  endow.'  If  I 
can't  do  it  before,  I  can  after  I'm  dead." 

"  Doctor  dear!  just  imagine  me  squabbling  with  the 
legitimate  heirs,"  said  Barbara  between  tears  and  laughter, 
inexpressibly  touched  by  his  devotion. 

'  There  aren't  any,  and  besides,  I  don't  care  if  there 
are.  I  shall  do  as  I  like  with  my  own.  I  never  had  time 
to  enjoy  what  money  I've  made  (it  isn't  a  lot),  but  you 
shall." 

"Not!  Please,  Doctor!  this  is  utter  folly.  I  shall 
not  accept,  so  why  embarrass  me  with  the  gift?  Not  that 
I  couldn't  kiss  you  for  it." 


246  THE   PANG-YANGER 

11  Well— do." 

Barbara  looked  at  him  with  a  speculative  eye,  as 
though  considering  the  proposition. 

"  Why  don't  you  stop  practising  and  spend  your  own 
money?  Did  you  never  care  to  travel  or — or  any 
thing?  "  she  asked  curiously. 

'  Yes,  I'd  enjoy  travelling,  if  I  could  choose  my  com 
rade." 

Barbara  ignored  the  insinuation. 

"  I  should  like  to  travel  all  over  the  world.     I  think 
I'd  go  to  Alaska  first;  I'd  like  to  see  a  glacier,  wouldn't, 
you  ?  "  she  mused  dreamily. 

"  Alaska,"  said  the  doctor  fervently,  "  is  the  place  of 
all  places  I  long  to  explore." 

"  You  never  thought  of  such  an  outlandish  corner  of 
the  earth  before." 

"  Maybe  I  didn't:  but  that  does  not  invalidate  my 
present  statement  or  desire,"  he  maintained  stoutly,  but 
the  wistful  note  beneath  his  badinage  awoke  an  echoing 
need  of  love.  He  cared!  She  knew  he  cared!  Oh, 
'Bijah!  'Bijah!  why  couldn't  you!  It  was  intolerable, 
the  thought  of  his  indifference :  the  thought  he  was  not 
coming  home.  And  she  had  had  a  part  in  sending  him 
away !  She  yielded  to  a  reckless  impulse. 

'  We  are  going  straight  toward  Alaska — now,"  she 
said  in  a  strained,  peculiar  voice,  her  eyes  on  the  horizon's 
verge,  and  the  doctor  glanced  at  her  sharply,  hesitated, 
incredulous,  beset  by  desire  and  doubt.  Then— 

"  Shall  we  go  on,  Barbara?"  he  asked  gently. 

His  voice  seemed  to  come  from  a  vast  distance;  she 
had  a  ghastly  sense  of  unreality. 

'  Yes,"  she  replied  mechanically,  and  he  put  his 
arm  around  her,  and  this  that  she  had  done  was 
very  real. 

"  Oh,  I  thought  you  said  that  you  would  not  accept 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  247 

me!"  she  exclaimed  in  panic,  and  the  doctor  instantly 
released  her. 

;'  I  did  not  suppose  you  would  jest  of  this.  You  know 
I  love  you,"  he  said  sternly,  and  contrition  overwhelmed 
her.  She  had  not  meant  to  pain  this  loyal  friend  and 
lover;  she  had  a  great  affection  for  him,  and — life  was  all 
awry,  anyway!  She  thought  she  was  as  miserable  as  she 
could  be,  nothing  mattered  farther,  and  she  was  swept 
back  to  him  on  a  flood  of  conflicting  emotions. 

;'  I — was — not — jesting,"  she  faltered. 

"  Barbara !  "  he  protested  gravely,  "  do  not  tempt  me 
too  far  with  your  innocent  cruelty.  I  forget  I  am  an  old 


man." 


'  Then — you  refuse  to  take  me — to  Alaska?  "  she  said, 
very  low,  and  he  kissed  the  rueful  April  face. 

"  Forgive  me!  I  couldn't  help  it,  though  of  course  I 
know  you  do  not  love  me.  I  am  old  enough  to  be  your 
grandfather,"  he  said,  and  sighed  for  his  lost  youth. 

;'  But — I  never  loved  any  one  like  I  did  the  colonel — 
until  I  came  here,"  she  murmured,  and  this  was  more 
than  mortal  man  of  any  age  could  bear. 

"  Oh,  please! "  she  gasped,  and  he  looked  straight 
down  into  her  frightened  eyes. 

;<  Not  kiss  you !  "  he  demanded  brusquely,  and  a  ner 
vous  trembling  shook  her. 

"Oh,  no!  At  least  " —admonished  by  his  look  of 
pained  reproach — "  I  do  not  really  mind.  I — I'll  kiss 
you,"  and  she  did:  the  brush  of  a  moth's  wing. 

"Oh,  my  little  one!"  he  said  with  ineffable  tender 
ness  for  this  young,  wilful  thing  who  feared  the  love  she 
had  evoked. 

The  horse,  unguided,  trudged  sturdily  up  a  long  hill, 
and  stopped  at  discretion  when  the  road  forked.  The 
doctor  caught  up  the  reins  gaily. 

1  'Bijah  must  have  had  this  horse  in  training  for  us. 


248  THE  PANG-YANGER 

He  has  always  predicted  our  marriage,  darling,"  he  said 

fatuously. 

"  It  is  convenient  to  have  perspicacious  friends,"  Bar 
bara  said  coolly.  That  Abijah  could  jest  of  it!  She 
was  glad,  glad  she  was  to  marry  the  dear  doctor.  She 
broke  a  long  silence  restlessly. 

"  I  want  you  to  promise  me  something,"  she  said,  and 
the  bedazzled  lover  covenanted  to,  and  beyond  the  verge 
of  the  possible. 

"  If  ever  I  should  ask  you  to  take  me  to — Alaska,  I 
want  you  to  do  it." 

"  Bless  my  soul !  Why,  you  don't  want  to  go  to 
Alaska !  " 

Barbara  sat  up  straight  and  indignant;  she  had  made  a 
pitiful  attempt  to  forefend  disaster. 

'  You  criticise  and  question.  I  will  not  be  criticised 
or  questioned!  If  I  cannot  do  as  I  wish,  why  should  I 
marry  you?  " 

'  There  is  just  one  adequate  reason  for  such  a  sacri 
fice,  my  darling." 

"  My  reasons  are  my  reasons,"  she  said  stormily. 
"  And  it  is  not  absurd  for  me  to  wish  to  go  rfwywhere !  " 

"  When  shall  we  start?  " 

'  Whenever  I  am  bored  and  wish  to  get  away  from 
every  one  and  everything  I  ever  knew.  And  it  is  not 
absurd  for  me  to  wish  to  go !  " 

"  Most  rational  procedure  I  ever  heard  of.  I  only 
wonder  Alaska  isn't  more  populous.  May  I  venture  to 
enquire,  my  dear,  if  you  are  taking  precautions  against 
boredom  with  me?  " 

He  caught  a  glimpse  of  elfin  diablerie. 
'  Why,   really,   sir,   considering   I   have  just  proposed 
to  you —       "  she  began,  but  he  would  not  have  it. 

'  You  have  given  me  heaven !  "  he  said  passionately. 
"  But  if  you  mean  what  you  have  said,  in  pity  do  not 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN  249 

keep  me  waiting  long.  I  have  not  long  to  wait,  and, 
I  want  my  little  wife." 

"  I  will  marry  you  whenever  you  wish,"  the  girl  said 
quietly. 

"  Do  you  mean  that?  " 

"  Yes.  I  might  want  to  go  to  Alaska  suddenly,  you 
know.  It's  weU  to  be  ready." 

"  Don't,  dear!  Barbara,  your  happiness  is  more  to  me 
than  my  own.  It  is  mine.  If  I  thought  this  was  not  for 
your  happiness 

But  Barbara  stirred  in  his  arm  like  a  fluttering  bird, 
and  between  tears  and  laughter  sang  the  little  wilful  song: 

"  '  When  Love  is  kind, 

Gentle  and  free, 
Love's  sure  to  find 
Welcome  from  me. 

'  But  when  Love  brings 

Heartaches  and  pangs, 
Tears  and  such  things, 
Love  may  go  hang ! ' 


XV 

A  PRELIMINARY    skirmish    with    Aunt    Helen 
heightened  Barbara's  sense  of  escapade  in  riding 
away   with    Maude   and   Sir   Benjamin   the   next 
morning. 

"  Mark  my  words,  you'll  rue  this  day,"  admonished 
the  old  lady,  following  Barbara  into  the  hall.  The  girl 
pulled  on  her  gauntlets  slowly,  and  reflected. 

"  But  you  see,  I'll  rue  it  if  I  don't  go;  so  there  you  are." 
She  spread  her  neatly  gloved  hands  with  a  dramatic  ges 
ture,  and  next  to  her  vernacular  there  was  nothing  nettled 
Aunt  Helen  like  Barbara's  "  French  airs,"  as  Barbara 
knew. 

"  It  is  scandalous  for  you  to  treat  a  man  like  Dr.  Pom- 
fret  with  such  disrespect !  He  will  expect  to  find  you  here, 
whenever  he  is  able  to  call,"  said  the  grim  old  dame,  who 
never  neglected  to  impress  the  disadvantages  of  a  situation 
on  any  one.  She  had  received  the  announcement  of  the 
engagement  without  approval  the  night  before. 

11  If  he  were  younger,  or  older,  or  richer!  "  she  had 
fulminated  at  Zillah,  in  private,  but  Zillah  with  locked 
lips  had  promptly  gone  into  her  own  room.  No  one 
dreamed  that  the  undemonstrative  spinster  cried  herself 
to  sleep  for  the  pity  of  it,  and  only  Madam  congratulated 
the  affianced  pair  with  anything  like  cordiality.  She  was 
delighted  beyond  measure.  Voila!  It  was  her  own 
romance  again;  the  hand  of  le  bon  Dieu  directing  it.  The 
doctor  gave  her  an  extra  sleeping  potion  for  the  night  on 
account  of  her  excitement,  and  pointed  out  to  Barbara  the 
advantage  of  a -physician  in  the  family. 

250 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  251 

"  Dr.  Pomfret  heard  me  make  this  engagement,  and  he 
said  nothing  about  calling,"  Barbara  said  wilfully  as  she 
went  down  the  steps. 

"  Have  your  will,  though  it  carry  you  through  the  fiery 
flames!  "  exclaimed  Aunt  Helen,  who  had  a  picturesque 
vocabulary  of  her  own,  on  the  Dantesque  order. 

Sir  Benjamin  bowed  profoundly  to  the  venerable  figure 
in  the  doorway,  and  the  cavalcade  moved  off.  He  had 
not  heard  the  conversation.  Barbara  made  Donna  prance 
as  a  slight  vent  to  her  feelings. 

'  I'll  be  no  submissive  wife!  '  '  she  hummed,  while 
Maude  and  Sir  Benjamin  resumed  an  interrupted  con 
versation.  She  began  to  listen  only  when  she  caught 
Abijah's  name. 

'  Where  did  you  meet  him?  I  did  not  know  he  was 
in  Hurstville,"  Maude  was  saying  stiffly,  in  a  restrained 
manner. 

"  Benji  introduced  us  at  the  club  last  night;  looked 
rather  a  ruffian,  but  I  like  to  hear  him  talk.  Odd, 
y'know." 

'  Yes,  he  is  one  of  Hurstville's  '  characters,'  "  said 
Maude  carelessly.  How  could  her  brother  be  so  blind? 
Sir  Benjamin's  bland  observation  was  an  exceedingly  acute 
one.  She  knew  he  could  not  have  seen  Rob,  but  she 
knew  the  dreaded  expose  was  imminent,  and  wished  her 
self  anywhere  but  in  Hurstville. 

"Cleverest  fellow  I've  met  over  here!"  pursued  Sir 
Benjamin  expansively.  "  Sorry  I  didn't  hear  him  speak 
in  your — er — legislature.  He  was  ill,  I  believe,  when  we 
stopped  in  Albany.  He  says  the  most  extraordinary 
things,  casually.  Asked  that  queer  little  old  fellow — 
banker,  y'know " 

"Mr.  TenEyke?" 

1  Yes:  asked  him  '  why  he  had  on  a  face  long  enough 
to  eat  oats  out  of  a  churn.'  Extraordinary  descriptive 


252  THE  PANG-YANGER 

phrase,  wasn't  it?     Made  me  think  of  a  horse,  y'know. 
Couldn't  help  it." 

The  two  girls  dissolved  in  laughter,  and  Sir  Benjamin 
beamed  complaisance.  He  was  the  most  English  of  Irish 
men. 

"  Oh,  I'm  getting  on  to  your  American  humour!  Some 
things  he  said,  though,  no  one  else  appreciated.  Some 
one  asked  him  how  he  liked  his  job, — fancy! — and  he  said 
'  Legislation  was  more  fun  than  a  bag  of  monkeys.' 
Extraordinary  way  to  refer  to  such  a  thing,  y'know,  but— 
er — that's  it,  y'know." 

The  girls  were  rocking  in  their  saddles:  Sir  Benjamin 
was  not  usually  discursive,  but  he  felt  repaid  for  his  effort 
by  the  results. 

"  I  suppose  you  are  accustomed  to  Mr.  Bead's  droll 
ery,  but  it  struck  me  as — er — extraordinary.  He  says  he 
knows  Vance,  Lord  Lowden's  youngest  son,  you  know. 
Met  him  up  in  the  Northwest  somewhere;  and  left  him 
there  prospecting.  He  is  takin'  a  trip  out  that  way  again 
this  summer,  and  I  told  him  I'd  like  to  go  along  and  look 
up  Vance." 

'What  did  he  say  to  the  proposition?"  enquired 
Maude,  reassured  for  the  present:  Sir  Benjamin  had  evi 
dently  not  encountered  Abijah's  son. 

"  Said  he'd  wire  me  when  he  was  to  start,  unless  he 
had  to  take  a  '  greasy  jump  '  to  make  connections.  And 
he  invited  me  to  come  up  and  inspect  his  stock  farm : 
Seemed  no  end  a  good  fellow,  though  most  extraordinary 
odd  in  some  things,  y'know." 

41  4  All  the  world  is  strange,  Ben,  save  thee  and  me, 
and  sometimes  thou  art  a  little  peculiar,'"  his  cousin 
quoted  gaily. 

"  Oh,  I  say  now.    Of  course!     But— 

Barbara  touched  her  horse.  "  We-all  shan't  get  there 
in  time  to  see  the  'washing'  if  we  plod  like  this!" 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  253 

she  cried,  and  led  the  way  to  Bucksville  at  a  reckless  gal 
lop. 

She  was  in  the  wildest  spirits;  she  wanted  to  hurry, 
hurry!  to  fly!  Abijah  had  been  near  when  some  super- 
subtle  sense  had  told  her  so  the  day  before !  She  made 
their  frugal  luncheon  at  the  bare  little  Buckskill  hotel  a 
symposium :  a  repast  to  be  remembered.  She  fascinated 
both  of  her  companions.  Sir  Benjamin  was  fairly 
dazzled. 

''  I  say,  Maude,  she's  extraordinary — y'know,"  he  said 
impressively  to  his  cousin  as  they  remounted. 

"  She's  a  darling!  I  simply  love  her!  "  said  Maude  en 
thusiastically,  and  they  followed  the  graceful,  buoyant 
figure  up  the  mountain  road  to  Pang-Yang. 

The  mountain  had  reclothed  itself  in  patched  and 
scraggly  second-growth  timber  after  the  great  conflagra 
tion,  and  bare,  burnt  skeletons  still  upbristled  above  the 
dwarfed  green  undergrowth;  the  erst  hidden  ledges  were 
revealed  by  scrub  thickets  of  sumach  and  alder,  and  the 
lusty  stream,  which  formerly  supplied  the  tannery  pool 
and  overflowed  its  dam  the  year  around,  had  dwindled  to 
a  thread  of  its  old  volume,  and  made  only  a  sullen  semi- 
stagnant  pond  behind  the  broken  bank.  It  was  still  dark, 
through — the  pool !  Dark  as  when  the  mighty  hemlocks 
arched  their  branches  over  it,  and  the  ooze  of  the  tan 
nery  discoloured  the  clear  stream;  but  its  darkness  now 
had  a  look  of  consistency,  of  stickiness,  as  though  the 
evaporation  of  the  water  had  condensed  it  unwhole- 
somely. 

Pang-Yang  was  a  new  Pang-Yang;  a  place  wherein 
children,  albeit  of  a  somewhat  pasty,  protozoic  type,  did 
manage  to  exist,  and  eke  to  get  a  schoolhouse.  It  stood 
on  the  old  tannery  site  beside  the  pool,  a  woeful  little 
shanty,  but  of  a  dignity  withal,  as  indicative  of  family 
segregation,  an  evolution  from  the  homogeneous  past. 


254  THE  PANG-YANGER 

The  squalid  homes  were  shrines  of  pure  domesticity, 
and  virtue  shone  on  every  slattern's  face.  They  were 
drunken,  more  or  less,  and  poor  altogether,  but  they  stood 
quite  aggressively  upon  their  respectability,  as  it  behooves 
a  reformed  community  or  individual  to  do;  it  would 
have  gone  hard  with  any  man  who  gainsaid  it;  Pang-Yang 
femininity  would  have  scratched  his  eyes  out.  There  was 
not  a  trace  of  anything  to  suggest  an  orgy  of  the  past 
or  future:  these  people  were  too  anaemic;  and  Abijah 
Bead,  seated  contemplatively  over  against  the  schoolhouse 
on  a  high  rock,  where  the  equestrian  party  did  not  at  first 
espy  him,  was  putting  it  to  himself  as  an  honest  man, 
whether  he  would  prefer  to  live  under  this  or  the  old 
regime.  As  an  honest  man  the  only  conclusion  he  could 
arrive  at,  was  that  he  was  glad  he  did  not  have  to  make 
a  choice  of  either. 

The  arrival  of  strangers  distracted  attention  from  the 
waiting  clergyman,  and  the  little  group  of  children  who 
had  clustered  around  the  girlish  figure  of  the  school 
mistress  in  front  of  the  schoolhouse  were  only  restrained 
by  her  official  authority  from  swarming  down  to  inspect 
the  visitors  at  close  range. 

'  This  won't  do,"  said  Barbara,  when  they  had  sat 
for  a  few  moments  looking  over  the  scene,  and  she  slipped 
from  her  saddle  and  made  Donna's  bridle  fast  to  a  con 
venient  sapling. 

"  B'Jove!  that's  so!  Deuced  bad  form,  y'know,"  re 
sponded  Sir  Benjamin,  following  her  example. 

"Are  you  going  any  nearer?"  whispered  Maude  in 
consternation,  as  he  came  to  her  side. 

"  Cawn't  sit  here — and — er — stare  at  'em,  y'know," 
he  said,  and  she  dismounted  reluctantly.  They  followed 
Barbara,  who  led  the  way  slowly  toward  the  little  group 
collected  on  the  brink  of  the  pool,  and  sat  down  at  a 
respectful  distance,  before  they  perceived  the  other  visi- 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  255 

tor.  Abijah  was  gravely  assisting  an  ambitious  young 
ster  to  mount  to  a  seat  beside  him,  and  he  did  not  permit 
his  eyes  to  meet  the  recognition  of  the  newcomers. 

"  We  will  sing,"  said  the  minister,  an  eager-eyed,  gaunt 
young  ascetic,  u  we  will  sing  that  beautiful  and  familiar 
hymn,  '  Now  wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow.' 
I  hope  the  strangers  who  have  come  among  us  to  witness 
the  holy  rite  we  solemnise,  have  come  with  the  love  of 
Jesus  in  their  hearts,  to  unite  with  us  in  our  devotions. 
Beloved,  lift  up  your  hearts  and  voices  unto  the  Lord." 

The  rich,  sonorous  voice,  a  voice  to  glorify  cathedral 
services,  made  the  poor  song  divine;  but  a  half-resentful 
consciousness  of  spectators  embarrassed  the  congregation, 
and  dampened  the  usual  spirit  of  the  singing,  and  every 
one  was  feeling  most  uncomfortable  when  a  mighty  and 
reassuring  bass  joined  the  clergyman's  in  the  middle  of 
the  refrain. 

"  '  Now  wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow,'  ' 
sang  Abijah  with   utmost  devotion,   and  the   rocks   and 
hills  resounded,  for  his  voice  was  big  in  proportion  to  the 
rest  of  him,  and  he  put  no  manner  of  restraint  upon  it. 

'  Whiter  than  snow,  yes,  whiter  than  snow  ' !  "  he 
sang,  and  the  while  shook  an  admonitory  fist  at  the  be 
wildered  group  before  the  schoolhouse,  until  the  little 
teacher  finally  caught  his  meaning,  and  hurried  a  piping 
treble  chorus  into  the  swelling  strain  of  song. 

His  benignancy,  upon  her  comprehension,  made  Bar 
bara  glance  for  a  moment  at  the  little  country  school-marm 
jealously. 

'  B'Jove,  y'know!  we  ought  to  sing,  Maude,"  ejacu 
lated  Sir  Benjamin,  who  could  not  sing  a  note  himself  to 
save  his  soul  or  others',  and,  as  his  cousin  good-naturedly 
complied  with  his  suggestion,  he  glanced  around  to  incite 
vicarious  tunefulness  in  the  other  member  of  his  party. 
A  very  English  sense  of  responsibility  for  all  decent  cere- 


256  THE  PANG-YANGER 

monials  had  Sir  Benjamin,  and  it  received  a  severe  shock 
when  he  discovered  that  Barbara's  lively  countenance  was 
exhibiting  an  expression  of  undisguised  contempt.  She 
did  not  hear  or  heed  his  involuntary  exclamation  to  at 
tract  her  attention,  and  there  was  nothing  more  admoni 
tory  that  he  could  do,  save  to  deepen  the  cast  of  inperturb- 
able  reverence  on  his  own  features;  which  he  did. 

The  effect  was  lost  on  Barbara ;  her  attention  was 
focussed  on  Abijah,  who  sang  the  verses  as  though  ob 
livious  to,  instead  of  much  amused  by,  her  evident  dis 
approval. 

"Let  us  pray!"  said  the  young  minister,  and  every 
head  bowed  reverently  except  Barbara's  and  the  small 
boy's,  who  sat  aloft  by  Mr.  Bead.  Abijah  tipped  his  hat 
before  his  eyes,  and  did  not  see  the  dereliction  of  his 
protege,  but  the  glare  of  Barbara's  reprobation  could  be 
felt  through  the  crown  of  his  sombrero,  and  at  the  con 
clusion  of  the  prayer  he  removed  it  suddenly,  and  met  her 
withering  contempt  by  a  moment's  calm  unrecognising 
stare;  then  he  joined  in  the  next  hymn  with  undiminished 
fervour. 

Then  the  minister  went  down  into  the  dark  pool,  and 
stood  waist-deep  in  the  icy  water,  while  one  by  one,  with 
out  unseemly  haste,  the  converts  went  out  to  him.  The 
first,  a  young  man,  came  back  limp  and  livid  from  the 
arctic  plunge,  and  his  teeth  chattered  helplessly  as  he 
resumed  his  place  upon  the  bank;  but  the  next  to  enter 
was  a  pallid  slip  of  a  girl;  and  she  waded  back  out  of  the 
cold  water  with  a  look  of  ecstasy  upon  her  thin  face,  and 
stood  beside  her  shivering  comrade  motionless,  in  a  sort 
of  trance,  while  the  shrewd  mountain  breeze  wrapped  her 
dripping  garments  close  around  her  slender  figure. 

There  was  an  interval  of  preparation  for  the  next 
immersion,  and  the  troubled  waters  around  the  celebrant 
had  time  to  fall  into  a  glassy  quiet,  mirroring  his  still 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  257 

figure,  as  he  waited.  Two  young  men  brought  an  old 
man  in  a  chair  down  to  the  edge  of  the  pool,  and  under 
the  curious  eyes  of  observation,  did  something  mysterious 
to  his  legs.  The  operation  was  demonstrated  as  they 
stood  up  on  either  side,  for  each  held  one  of  his  artificial 
legs,  and  the  maimed  body  struck  the  water  with  a  sudden 
whop,  as  the  old  man  craftily  lowered  himself  from  the 
chair.  He  went  through  the  water  in  a  series  of  short, 
rapid  jerks,  swinging  his  body  forward  between  his  arms, 
his  hands  resting  on  the  bottom.  Barbara  laid  her  hand 
upon  her  mouth  and  bolted.  She  had  to  shut  her  teeth 
on  qualms  of  nausea  as  she  fled,  and  she  leaned  on  Donna's 
shoulder,  faint  and  sick.  A  long,  swift  stride  came  after 
her. 

"  Oh,  Sir  Benjamin,  let  us  get  away  from  this  awful 
place !  "  she  gasped  without  lifting  her  head. 

"  Sir  Benjamin  is  no  '  quitter,'  "  said  a  voice  in  reluctant 
admiration,  and  Barbara  raised  her  head,  and  faced 
Abijah. 

"  I  could  not  stand  it,"  she  explained  vaguely. 

"  I  know,"  said  Abijah,  and  laid  his  hand  on  the  general 
region  of  his  stomach  with  an  expression  of  such  sym 
pathetic  comprehension  that  words  were  superfluous. 
Barbara  dropped  her  face  in  Donna's  mane  and  shook 
with  laughter. 

'  We  must  not  stay  here,"  said  Abijah,  interposing 
himself  between  the  girl  and  observation  as  she  wiped  her 
eyes. 

'  I  was  going  on  down  the  road  a  bit  and  wait,"  she 
said,  glancing  furtively  back  towards  her  companions. 

"  Oh,  they  won't  leave  till  the  show  is  over.  You 
could  see  John  Bull  sticking  out  all  over  that  Englishman. 
He  is  suppressing  his  private  feelings  for  the  public  good, 
bless  his  soul !  and  you  can  see  him  doing  it !  He  means 
to  see  this  thing  through  to  the  bitter  end;  though  what 


258  THE  PANG-YANGER 

that  end  may  be,"  concluded  Abijah  with  lively  appre 
hension,  "  the  Lord  forefend  that  we  should  tarry  to 
behold !  Let  us  get  hence." 

He  took  her  by  the  arm  and  hurried  her  across  the 
settlement,  to  a  path  winding  precipitously  up  the  moun 
tain-side. 

"Where  are  we  going?"  she  enquired;  not  that  it 
mattered,  not  that  she  cared,  where  they  spent  this  golden 
unexpected  hour  together. 

"  Up  to  the  top,"  said  Abijah;  "  it's — er — wholesomer 
up  there." 

"Is  there  time?" 

"I  guess  so;  serve  that  Englishman  right  to  make 
him  wait;  letting  a  girl  go  poking  off  by  herself  in  a  place 
like  this." 

"  Thank  you !  "  she  murmured. 

"  Don't  mention  it,"  he  replied  gruffly,  and  Barbara 
promptly  resented  casual  attention. 

"  Oh,  I  shall  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  your  knight- 
errantry  extends  to  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  distressed 
females,"  she  said  with  reassurance,  and  he  stopped 
short. 

"  If  you  object  to  the  association,  Miss  Hurst,"  he  said 
sarcastically;  but  she  did  not  reply.  "  Shall  we  go  on?  " 
he  demanded. 

'  This  is  your  excursion,  Mr.  Bead,"  she  answered 
blandly. 

For  a  moment  he  hesitated,  and  then  taking  the  little 
round  elbow  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand  again,  he  pro 
pelled  her  up  the  hillside  at  a  rate  not  always  limited  by 
the  length  of  her  stride;  he  did  not  scruple  to  swing  her 
bodily  to  otherwise  inaccessible  points  of  the  breakneck 
route  he  chose  to  follow,  and  Barbara's  foothold  was  at 
times  fugitive,  as  he  rushed  her  over  the  rocks. 

"  I'd  like  to  play  poker  with  you,"  he  said  grimly. 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  259 

"  I'd  call  you,  no  matter  what  the  stakes,"  she  said  de 
fiantly. 

"  I  did  not  know  you  were  such  a  dead-game  sport." 
His  eyes  laughed  at  her  as  he  lifted  her  to  a  ledge  and 
climbed  up  after. 

"  Is  there  much  more  of  this?  "  she  asked  rather  breath 
lessly. 

"  Of  what?  "  He  proffered  her  his  hand  to  assist  her  to 
her  feet,  and  taunted  her  to  a  reply.  She  looked  up  at  the 
mountain.  Evidently  there  would  be  considerably  more 
of  it. 

'What's  the  use  trying  to  bluff  me?"  he  demanded 
bluntly,  as  she  stood  beside  him. 

;'  I  beg  pardon,  sir!  " 

'  You  came  up  here  because  you  wanted  to.  Same 
with  me.  Now  we  are  going  to  the  top  of  this  berg  to 
gether,  if  I  have  to  carry  you  the  rest  of  the  way." 

His  savagery  provoked  the  subtler  resources  of  civi 
lised  warfare.  Barbara  suddenly  and  calmly  leaned 
against  him,  and  thrust  out  her  foot  for  his  inspection. 
The  dainty  riding  boot  was  already  scratched  and  peeled 
from  its  unaccustomed  scramble  over  the  sharp  rocks. 
She  put  him  irretrievably  in  the  wrong  before  she  spoke. 
'  You  forget  I  am  not  a  mountaineer,"  she  said  quietly. 
''  I  don't  revoke,  I  play  the  game,  sir !  " 

He  had  begun  to  recognise  and  enjoy  this  fact. 

"  You  take  this  trick,  but  you  play  just  like  a.  woman," 
he  grumbled,  amused. 

"  I  thought  that  was  the  game,"  she  flashed.  '  You 
led  with  a  threat;  I  couldn't  follow  suit,  and  I  had  to 
trump." 

'  I  guess  you  and  I  better  have  a  new  deal.  But  I 
know  you  do  not  want  to  go  back  at  present,"  he  said, 
carelessly  confident;  and  Barbara  tacitly  consenting,  they 
went  upward;  since  Fate  thrust  the  cards  into  her  hand, 


260  THE  PANG-YANGER 

she  would  play.  Surely,  she  told  herself  as  they  toiled 
over  the  slippery  rocks,  she  might  play  once  for  her  very 
life!  She  did  not  so  much  as  think  of  Dr.  Pomfret,  and 
if  she  had,  it  would  not  have  mattered.  Nothing  mat 
tered  now.  They  were  together.  This  day  at  least  was 
hers. 

She  puzzled  Abijah.  There  was  again  the  camaraderie 
of  their  first  casual  acquaintance,  which  ignored  the  sub 
sequent  intercourse  between  them,  and  made  the  present 
moment  all  in  all.  It  was  a  fascinating  mood.  The  ten- 
dresse  an  unguarded  moment  had  betrayed  had  aroused 
his  chivalry  and  regret;  but  if  she  loved  him,  she  had 
shown  a  constant  self-control,  exceeding  any  woman's  he 
had  ever  known — a  control  so  out  of  character  with  her 
impetuosity  as  to  baffle  him  and  mock  a  vague  quixotic 
purpose  to  disillusion  her.  He  had  received  the  doctor's 
announcement  of  their  engagement  the  previous  night  with 
ironic  congratulations.  Barbara  was,  then,  like  all  other 
women.  The  fact  that  she  would  not  fit  into  a  general 
classification  was  annoying.  The  doctor  was  not  wealthy, 
and  a  girl  like  Barbara  Hurst  could  never  lack  for  suitors. 
Then  too,  why  had  she  fled  her  fiance  to-day,  the 
day  after  her  engagement?  As  man  to  man,  Abijah's 
sympathies  went  out  to  the  doctor,  but  this  girl  was  inter 
esting  :  something  more. 

"  It  did  not  seem  to  me  you  entered  into  the  true  spirit 
of  the  scene  down  there,"  he  observed  reproachfully,  as 
they  climbed  upward. 

"  Wasn't  it  awful !  "  she  exclaimed,  and  felt  him  shake 
with  stifled  laughter. 

"  Did  you  think  of  the  probabilities  of  confusion,  when 
they  began  to  disarticulate  themselves?  "  he  asked;  but 
Barbara  was  laughing  helplessly. 

"  You  lost  the  best  part;  you  did  not  see  Sir  Benjamin's 
face!  Oh,  lordy!  He  did  not  turn  a  hair  when  the  legs 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  261 

came  off;  just  showed  a  decent  interest  in  an  unfamiliar 
ceremony.  But  when  the  old  fellow  launched  himself 
into  the  water,  Johnnie  Bull  blinked!  He  did,  for  a 
fact.  Oh,  I  want  to  get  up  where  I  can  '  lot  a  yell '  and 
not  disturb  the  meeting." 

"  I  can't  go  any  faster,"  sighed  Barbara.  "  How 
could  you  pretend  to  join  in  that  singing?  " 

"  Pretend!  I  didn't  pretend:  I  sang.  Should  think  you 
might  have  heard  me." 

"  I  think  the  banality  of  such  songs  is  absolutely  blas 
phemous  !  " 

"Blasphemy?     Against  whom?  " 

"  Against  the  Good,  the  True,  and  the  Beautiful !  " 

"  All  relative,  Miss  Hurst;  you  must  admit  the  ridicu 
lous  iteration  and  images  of  '  Whiter  than  Snow  '  gave 
those  folks  the  same  sensuous  pleasure  you  derive  from 
'  Stabat  Mater  '  or  '  The  Blessed  Damosel ' :  '  and  the 
stars  in  her  crown  were  seven  I '  why  not  eleven  ?  It 
rhymes.  Not  poetry?  Why?  How  does  the  mystic 
symbolism  appeal  to  you?  Tradition?  Well,  'Whiter 
than  Snow  '  is  tradition !  Rossetti  does  not  suit  us  all.  I 
don't  care  for  him  myself.  If  you  knew  what  Pang- 
Yang  had  been  you  would  understand — several  things, 
which,  by  the  way,  I'm  glad  you  don't.  This  revival 
represents  an  enormous  step  in  evolution.  It  tickles  me 
'most  to  death !  That's  why  I  sang  '  Whiter  than  Snow  ' 
until  I  was  black  in  the  face;  I  had  to  buck  up  the 
dominie.  That  pool  is  cold  enough  to  shiver  his  timbers 
(I  know  because  I  fell  in  once)  ;  and  I  was  afraid  he  might 
whimper  and  scare  off  the  rest.  And  the  Lord  knows  the 
ducking  will  do  them  all  a  w-o-r-r-l-d  of  good :  in  several 
ways!  You  had  no  business  in  a  place  like  that,  Miss 
Hurst." 

"  Do  you  think  this  emotional  religion  does  any  lasting 
good?  "  asked  Barbara,  ignoring  the  personal  reproof. 


262  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"Bless  you,  there  isn't  any  other  kind!  Eliminate 
emotion,  and  you  have  nothing  but  ethics.  Religion  is 
essentially  emotional,  whether  expressed  in  aesthetic  rituals, 
Quaker  silence,  or  the  hallelujahs  of  the  primitive  Meth 
odists;  and  it's  a  persistent  phenomenon;  no  use  quarrel 
ling  with  it.  Besides,  as  long  as  we  have  to  police  the 
earth,  we  need  the  angels  of  heaven  to  help  us  do  it.  You 
can't  deny  the  consolations  of  religion  to  the  rest  of  the 
world  because  you  do  not  need  them." 

u  Father  Varney  was  insisting  yesterday  that  I  did. 
Said  I  would  be  happier  and  better  if  I  stopped  thinking, 
and — er — just  gave  up,  you  know.  Like  that  poor  girl 
down  there.  Merci!  " 

"  I  don't  believe  you  could,  if  you  tried.  A  sense  of 
humour  inhibits  the  operation  of  the  emotions  awfully. 
You  neither  suffer  nor  joy  in  the  absolute  whole-hearted 
manner  of  simple  organisms !  I  know  that,  for  myself. 
Now  that  girl  is  happier  than  she  ever  will  be  again,  even 
when  she  feels  her  lover's  kiss.  You  would  analyse  both 
sensations  and  enjoy  the  analysis,  whether  the  sensation 
was  pleasurable  or  not." 

"  I  object  to  vivisection,  at  this  pace.  What  are  your 
lungs  made  of?  You  are  almost  carrying  me  along,  and 
you  talk  away  like  you  were  in  an  easy-chair." 

"  You  are  not  much  of  a  handicap.  This  ledge  is  the 
last.  I  used  to  go  up  by  this  vine,  but  that's  dead."  He 
stopped  and  pulled  at  a  great  convoluted  bitter-sweet, 
which  came  away  in  his  hand,  and  he  left  Barbara  at  the 
foot  of  the  rocks,  while  he  prospected  for  a  way  of  ascend 
ing  them,  for  the  summit  of  the  mountain  was  bastioned 
by  a  palisade  of  rock,  not  high,  but  of  a  sheer  perpen 
dicularity. 

"  Give  me  your  hand !  I  can  pull  you  up  here  easier  than 
you  can  climb  it,"  Barbara  heard  him  saying  overhead. 
He  was  prone  on  the  ledge  above,  reaching  his  arms  over 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  263 

the  edge  to  her.  She  held  hers  up,  but  their  hands  did 
not  touch  by  several  inches.  She  giggled  as  she  heard  him 
mutter  "  Damn  !  " 

"  That  stone  over  there,  then!  Can't  you  roll  it  over 
here  and  stand  on  it?  "  he  asked,  for  the  ascent  was 
difficult,  and  time  was  passing.  Barbara  deliberated, 
sauntered  over  to  the  stone,  and  sat  down  on  it. 

"  I  don't  feel  like  I  have  any  responsibility  about  getting 
up  there.  This — as  I  have  mentioned — isn't  my  picnic." 
She  looked  up  at  him,  the  quintessence  of  Eve's  wilful 
daughters,  with  the  inherent  charm  for  the  sons  of 
men.  Abijah  acknowledged  it  for  the  first  time,  and  re 
luctantly. 

;<  If  you  make  me  come  back  down  there  for  you,  you 
will  be  sorry,"  he  said  darkly. 

"  Are  you  sure  about  that?  "  she  laughed  mischievously. 

"  Oh,  if  you  want  me  to  come  and  carry  you  up " 

Barbara  rose  hastily  and  gave  the  stone  a  tentative 
kick.  As  it  half  rolled  over  a  large  snake  wriggled  slug 
gishly  from  beneath  it,  and  with  a  shriek  Barbara  fled 
toward  the  ledge.  Abijah  nearly  fell  off  upon  her,  laugh 
ing. 

'  You  ought  to  be  ashamed,"  she  told  him,  holding  her 
habit  tight  about  her  in  an  apprehension  which  sent  him 
off  again. 

'  It's  only  a  black  snake,  and  it's  gone.  Now  roll  that 
stone  over  here,  and  up  you  come,"  he  said  encouragingly. 

"  An  awfully  alluring  prospect,  but  I  don't  seem  to  care 
for  it.  There  won't  be  a  button  on  my  habit  if  I  am 
dragged  up  there,  and — how  shall  I  ever  get  down  ?  " 
she  demurred. 

"  Oh,  we'll  go  back  by  the  road." 

'*  Road!  Is  there  a  road?  And  you  have  hauled  me 
up  over  those  awful  rocks  !  " 

'  Road's   further  around,   and   anyhow,   we   arc   here 


264  THE   PANG-YANGER 

now."     He  held  a  sprig  of  pennyroyal  in  his  lips  and  he 

looked  as  gay  and  irresponsible  as  a  satyr. 

"  I  don't  want  to  go  any  further,  and  I  shall  not  touch 
that  stone  again.  There  might  be  a  nest  of  them,"  Bar 
bara  said  with  decision. 

Abijah  sighed. 

"  Oh,  all  right,"  he  said,  starting  to  swing  himself 
down. 

"  Mr.  Bead,  you  don't  dare!  "  she  cried.     He  paused. 

"  Dare  what?  "  he  quizzed. 

"  Anything!  "  said  Barbara,  but  she  went  back  to  the 
stone  and  began  rolling  it  toward  the  ledge.  The  exer 
tion  seemed  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  labour,  for  her 
hat  fell  off  and  her  face  flushed.  Abijah  was  unused  to 
girls,  and  felt  dubious  when  she  stood  poised  on  the  un 
stable  footstool,  and  held  up  her  hands  to  him. 

'  Take  off  your  gloves,  they  might  slip,"  he  advised, 
but  the  feel  of  her  soft  little  hands  in  his  was  not  re 
assuring. 

'  Your  arms  won't  come  off,  will  they?  "  he  enquired 
anxiously,  and  a  gust  of  laughter  shook  them  as  they  clung 
against  the  cliff  together. 

"But — will  it  be  all  right?"  he  persisted,  and  Bar 
bara's  hands  lay  passive  in  his  own. 

"  I'm  sure  /  don't  know,"  she  replied  carelessly,  and 
her  defiant  irresponsibility  goaded  him  to  take  the  chances, 
and  he  drew  her  up  the  ledge  beside  him.  She  staggered 
dizzily,  and  made  a  wild  clutch  at  him,  and  he  put  his  arm 
around  her  for  support. 

"  I'm  an  utter  brute !  What  did  you  let  me  do  it  for?  " 
he  exclaimed  contritely;  but  he  reflected  he  was  becoming 
gradually  inured  to  having  this  girl  in  his  arms,  and 
rather  liked  it.  He  wondered  if  she  did,  and  could  not 
decide.  There  was  no  coquetry  in  her  abandon,  and  after 
a  moment  she  raised  herself  with  unmistakable  decision. 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  265 

"  Are  you  faint?  "  he  asked,  not  immediately  releasing 
her. 

"  No,  I  was  only  dizzy  and  felt  like  I  had  been  drawn 
and  quartered,"  she  explained,  and  the  words  so  vividly 
recalled  the  disarticulated  convert,  that  they  both  laughed 
again,  softly,  for  their  mirth  was  spent,  standing  close 
together  in  the  strong  sun  and  wind  of  the  mountain-top. 
Then  Barbara  stepped  away  from  him  and  looked  around. 

A  stony  solitude,  shut  in  by  a  dark  line  of  conifers  under 
a  softly  booming  wind  and  blazing  sun !  The  grey  rock, 
split  in  jagged  fragments,  and  scoured  to  the  grain  by 
the  eroding  elements,  sustained  no  vegetation,  save  one 
enormous  chestnut,  rooted  far  beneath.  There  was 
a  stern  grandeur  in  the  elemental  bareness  of  the  peak;  a 
charm  in  the  wild  rune  of  the  never-ceasing  wind.  After 
the  first  glance  at  the  old  landmarks,  Abijah  watched  the 
girl  intently. 

;'  I'm  glad  you  brought  me  here!  "  she  said,  a  little 
hush  in  the  words;  and  he  took  her  arm  again,  and  led 
her  to  a  seat  in  the  shade  of  the  old  chestnut  tree,  for  the 
heat  beat  up  from  the  bare  rock,  though  the  breeze  was 
cool  and  keen  around  them. 

The  view  from  the  summit  was  shut  in  by  crowding 
peaks,  except  where  the  long  valley  of  the  Buckskill  opened 
a  perspective  straight  into  the  clear  north,  whence  the  wind 
drew  its  long  suspirations;  at  their  feet  the  white  homes 
of  the  village  lay  along  the  stream  that  wove  a  silver 
thread  across  the  landscape.  Fenced  farms  and  timber 
patches  checquered  the  steep  slopes  in  green  and  brown; 
long  loops  of  the  white  roads  criss-crossed  upon  the  ver 
dant  countryside;  and  over  all  slid  the  light  shadows  of  the 
drifting  clouds.  It  was  a  charming  pastoral,  but  after  the 
first  view  the  fascination  of  the  lonely,  wind-swept  heights 
reclaimed  them.  There  was  a  sense  of  lesion  from  the 
world;  it  was  so  still!  the  wind  rustling  gently  in  the 


266  THE  PANG-YANGER 

branches  overhead,  and  sounding  a  far-off  asolian  note  on 
the  dark  arc  of  hemlock  circling  them,  but  made  the 
silence  and  the  solitude  realities.  The  invisible  waves  of 
an  aerial  ocean  islanded  the  peak;  they  seemed  cut  off  from 
the  whole  world. 

Abijah  laid  his  long  length  down  upon  the  rocks,  and 
tucking  his  hat  beneath  his  head,  looked  up  at  a  con 
spicuously  extended  branch  above  him,  while  the  surge 
of  a  long  silence  swept  him  back  into  the  past.  Barbara 
was  drifting  on  a  tide  of  utter  happiness,  unquestioning 
past  or  future. 

"  If  you  were  up  on  that  branch,  you  could  see  Hurst- 
ville;  the  steeples,"  he  observed  absently,  and  Barbara 
cast  an  apprehensive  glance  into  the  treetop  and  was  about 
to  expostulate  on  this  suggestion,  when  he  continued,  rem 
iniscent,  in  a  rare  mood  of  confidence.  She  scarce 
breathed,  lest  she  should  interrupt  it. 

"  I  used  to  come  up  here  often,  when  I  was  a  boy;  I 
was  a  Pang-Yanger,  you  know;  and  I  used  to  sit  up  there 
and  cry  and  cuss.  I  suppose  I  was  only  homesick,  but  I 
didn't  know  it  then,  and  a  boy's  such  a  blessed  fool !  He 
don't  know  how  much  he  can  or  ought  to  stand.  I  got  my 
first  job,  made  my  first  money  down  in  Pang-Yang:  made 
it  gambling,  too.  How  does  that  strike  your  aristocratic 
traditions,  Miss  Hurst?"  The  old  bitterness  rankled 
anew.  He  did  not  see  the  pitiful  small  face  above  him, 
and  went  on  monotonously : 

"  It  makes  me  proud  of  what  I've  got  since !  Every 
dollar  of  it  comes  from  a  little  low-down  euchre  game  down 
there:  a  skin  game,  too,  for  they  were  drunk,  and  I  wasn't. 
The  poor  brutes,  they  never  knew  that  I  cleaned  out  the 
ranch.  The  place  caught  fire  that  morning,  and  the 
mountains  burned  for  weeks.  If  I  had  stayed  I  could 
have  prevented  it.  We  couldn't  get  near  the  place,  after 
the  fire  started." 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  267 

He  lay  rigid,  the  muscles  of  his  face  and  neck  tense; 
Barbara  had  to  clutch  the  roots  of  the  old  chestnut  beside 
her  to  keep  from  slipping  down  to  comfort  him. 

"  How  old  were  you?  "  she  breathed. 

"A  kid!  sixteen!     In  Pang-Yang!     Great  Scott!" 
'  The  place  has  changed?  " 

'  Yes,  it's  only  a  mild  purgatory  now.  It  was  hell, 
deep  hell  before  the  fire  wiped  it  out.  A  man  can't  suffer 
as  a  boy  does;  life  hardens  us  to  live,  but  until  scars  ichor 
the  nerves  over,  pain's  intolerable !  I  wonder  any  of  us 
grow  up !  Lute  said  I  was  a  fool ;  I  haven't  gotten 
over  it  yet.  The  poor  brutes !  "  He  lay  silent,  and  the 
great  wind  boomed  softly  over  them. 

"Were  they  all  burned?" 

Abijah  rolled  over  suddenly,  looked  at  her,  and  sat  up 
in  consternation. 

"Great  Scott!  Don't  look  like  that,  Miss  Hurst; 
Pang-Yang  isn't  worth  it!  I  deserve  to  be  thrashed  for 
raking  up  such  a  ghastly  tale  to  tell  you.  Yes,  the  whole 
place  was  swept  away ;  but  see  here,  it  was  really  a  euthana 
sia:  intoxication's  an  anaesthetic.  You  ask  Doc  if  it  isn't. 
They  never  knew  they  died."  His  self-reproach  was 
genuine;  he  could  appreciate  the  horrors  of  a  vivid  imagi 
nation. 

'  You  have  had  some  hard  experiences,"  Barbara  said 
gently. 

"  A  man  expects  them.  He's  all  sorts  of  an  ass  to  go 
blethering  to  women  about  it.  You  will  think  I  am  a 
blatant  idiot." 

"  If  you  regret  your  confidence,  Mr.  Bead,  I  have 
forgotten  it." 

''  It  wasn't  a  premeditated  infliction,  at  any  rate,  if 
that's  any  excuse.  I  wanted  to  come  up  here  again,  and 
I  knew  Doc  would  not  want  me  to  leave  you  alone  in  Pang- 
Yang." 


268  THE  PANG-YANGER 

She  went  very  white. 

"Oh,  that's  all  right!  Doc  and  I  were  pals  before 
you  were  born.  He  told  me  last  night,  or  I  shouldn't 
have  taken  the  liberty  of  marching  off  with  you  like 
this,  on  my  own  responsibility  of  course.  I  congratu 
late  you  both.  Doc's  the  best  ever,  and  I  have  an 
idea  you  will  appreciate  the  fact  as  most  women  would 
not."' 

The  sudden  pain  of  it  was  almost  more  than  she  could 
bear.  Her  loosely  clasped  hands  clinched  upon  each 
other,  and  she  looked  blindly  off  across  the  stony  waste, 
with  wide,  miserable  eyes,  striving  to  be  quiet;  just  to  be 
quiet:  she  could  attempt  no  more,  for  if  she  moved  or 
spoke  she  knew  that  she  should  throw  herself  down  on  the 
rocks  and  shriek  out  her  agony  like  some  wild  wounded 
thing.  But  repression  was  instinctive,  and  pride  stronger 
than  love  or  pain. 

"  If  I  can  but  keep  still !  escape  making  an  utter  fool  of 
myself;  not  fall  at  his  feet,"  she  thought  wearily. 

No  such  impulse  was  suggested  by  the  still,  upright 
figure,  staring  with  unseeing  eyes  across  the  wind-swept 
peak,  but  Abijah  could  not  misunderstand  the  passion  he 
had  roused.  Again  he  felt — he  knew — she  loved  him ; 
knew  the  surpassing  sweetness  of  this  flower  of  love  was 
offered  him,  and  temptation  took  him  by  the  throat.  To 
wash  away  the  bitter  taste  of  life  in  the  sparkling  draught 
of  this  pure  passion!  To  defy  mischance;  for  her?  A 
sullen,  brutal  wish  that  she  was  a  light  woman,  lightly  to 
be  loved,  swept  over  him;  for  what  but  a  man's  best 
dared  he  offer  this  great-souled  child?  He  dared  not  look 
at  her.  He  knew  another  glimpse  of  the  proud,  suffering 
little  face,  and  he  should  take  her  in  his  arms,  and  kiss 
her  eyes  to  rapture.  As  he  knew  he  could;  and,  strug 
gling  with  the  sweet  insidious  impulse,  knew  he  would 
not.  After  all,  he  had  lived  his  life.  A  great  weariness, 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN  269 

of  all  things  fell  on  him,  and  he  sought  refuge  for  them 
both  in  speech,  aimless. 

'  I  hope  you  don't  mind  Doc's  telling  me,  even  though 
you  don't  wish  it  announced  so  soon.  He  knew  it  was  his 
last  chance  for  a  vent  before  I  went  west,  and  he  needed  to 
talk !  He  is  about  as  far  gone  as  a  man  ever  gets !  I'm 
a  safe  depository  for  tender  confidences,  though  not  ex 
actly  sympathetic.  You  have  taken  my  best  friend,  Miss 
Hurst;  Rob's  the  only  crony  I  have  left." 

She  sprang  to  her  feet,  and  he  rose  and  stood  before 
her. 

'  The  doctor's  precipitation  rather  took  my  breath,  but 
I  am  very  glad  he  told  you,  if  he  wished.  I  know  what 
friends  you  are,  and — you  must  not  let  me  separate  you. 
Can't  I  arrogate  his  privileges  instead?  " 

She  made  him  take  her  outstretched  hand,  and  meet  her 
eyes,  both  steady;  and  he  marvelled  at  her  self-control, 
vaguely  resenting  it:  as  he  felt  her  palm  melt  against  his, 
he  held  it  in  a  close  embrace. 

"  Barbara !  "  he  protested  vaguely. 

But  her  pride  was  welded  in  a  shield  of  dazzling  de 
fence,  and  love  would  not  again  give  him  a  moment's 
vantage.  She  demanded  an  oblation  greater  than  her 
own :  she  wanted  no  one's  pity. 

''  It  sounds  strange  to  hear  you  use  my  name  (what  a 
horrid  name  you  have!),  but  I  suppose  I  must  give  you 
the  standing  of  an  old  family  friend,"  she  said  sedately; 
she  saw  that  he  was  moved,  and  looked  up  at  him  slowly, 
countering  the  mute  passion  of  his  eyes  with  a  bewildering, 
baffling,  elusive  diablerie.  She  made  no  effort  to  with 
draw  her  hand  from  his  entreating  grasp,  but  he  might 
as  well  have  held  a  captive  fay. 


XVI 

THE  mountain  road  was  banked  as  for  a  bridal, 
with  wild  pink  azalias  and  dark  plumy 
ferns,  and  led  through  sun-flecked  aisles  of  white- 
stemmed  birch  and  dusky  hemlock  into  the  "  House  of 
Spring."  Overhead  the  weird  wind-whisper  in  the  tree- 
tops  breathed  of  spring,  and  love,  and  gladness,  and  the 
downward  pathway  was  as  easy  as  Avernal  highways. 
There  was  no  necessity  for  assistance  in  the  descent,  but 
Abijah  took  Barbara's  arm  in  his  hand  again  firmly. 

"  Perhaps  you  think  this  thing  of  being  a  family  friend 
is  going  to  be  merely  honorary,"  he  observed  whimsically, 
as  he  tried  to  shorten  his  long  stride  to  her  pattering  foot 
steps. 

"  Indeed!  I  did  not  suppose  the  position  imposed  either 
duties,  emoluments,  or  responsibilities,"  said  Barbara, 
meeting  his  mood  bravely. 

'  Then  you  have  made  the  mistake  of  your  life,"  he 
replied  coolly,  and  she  did  not  refuse  the  support  he  gave 
her,  but  they  did  not  talk  much  on  their  way  back  to  Pang- 
Yang.  The  small  boy  who  had  sat  on  the  rock  by  Abi 
jah,  was  waiting  for  them  near  the  horses. 

"  Th'  other  folks  have  went  on  deown ;  they  sed  yeou 
could  ketch  up,"  he  informed  them,  shrill,  and  shy. 

"  Kismet!  "  thought  Abijah;  but  there  were  darkening 
shadows  under  Barbara's  eyes  when  he  lifted  her  into  the 
saddle. 

'  You  forget  my  lesson  to  you  in  mounting,"  she  said 
listlessly,  taking  up  the  bridle.  The  boy  had  removed 

270 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  271 

himself  a  short  distance,  and  was  absorbed  in  counting  an 
unexpected  largess  that  had  just  come  to  him. 

Abijah  put  up  his  arms;  his  face  was  tender,  his  voice 
was  a  caress.  "  Let  me  try  again !  Give  me  another 
chance !  "  he  murmured.  He  had  thrown  off  restraint;  she 
knew  it,  and  a  wild  longing  tugged  at  her  to  yield.  The 
next  instant  the  astonished  and  indignant  Donna  leaped 
under  a  sharp  cut  of  the  whip,  and  Abijah  was  standing 
alone.  He  threw  himself  upon  the  Bronk,  and  followed, 
watching  Donna  dance  and  caper  under  a  firm  rein. 

''  I'm  a  crack-a-jack  of  a  family  friend!  "  he  cogitated, 
amused  by  his  own  chagrin,  "  and  I  think  I  just  escaped 
that  whip  across  the  face;  the  darling!  How  in  blazes 
can  she  go  and  marry  Doc?  She  shouldn't  if—  Oh, 

damn  everything!  "  He  rode  up  moodily  beside  her. 
Donna's  subjugation  had  left  her  exhilarant. 

''  I  always  wanted  to  race  the  Bronk,  and  now's  the 
chance!  "  she  cried.  "  We  will  give  you  odds  and  beat 
you  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain."  She  let  the  little  mare 
lead  off  at  a  sharp  canter. 

"Pull  up!"  called  Abijah  authoritatively,  and  some 
what  to  his  surprise  she  obeyed,  looking  over  her  shoulder 
with  pretty  interrogative  brows. 

"  On  horseback,  I  have  horse  sense,  plus  my  own,  and 
the  Lord  knows  I  need  the  addition:  I've  made  a  poor 
whack  taking  care  of  you  so  far,  but  the  Bronk  knows 
enough  to  buck  me  off  if  I  tried  to  race  down  this  hill. 
Are  you  anxious  to  break  your  neck,  or  mine?  " 

"  He  knows  we  would  beat  him,  Donna  dear!  "  taunted 
Barbara  in  a  reckless  mood. 

"  Down  below,  it's  level;  I'm  no  jockey  weight,  but  I'll 
race  you,  handicap,  if  you  make  the  stakes  worth  while," 
he  said  significantly. 

u  Mercenary!  '  must  a  game  be  played  for  the  sake  of 
pelf?'"  she  quoted  daringly,  a  little  frightened  by  the 


272  THE  PANG-YANGER 

look  he  bent  on  her,  but  thrilled  to  a  defiant  happiness 
by  it. 

"  That  is  usually  what  a  man  plays  for,  but  with  you— 
it  would  not  matter  to  him,"  he  said  deliberately,  boldly, 
and  then  for  a  way  they  rode  side  by  side  through  the 
green  woods  in  silence. 

"  Over  hill,  over  dale, 

Through  brush,  through  briar, 
Over  park,  over  pale, 

Through  flood,  through  fire." 

The  song  bubbled  over  from  the  girl's  full  heart,  and  the 
elfin  chant  suggested  a  device  to  keep  her  with  him,  for  a 
little  longer.  Abijah's  eyes  lit. 

'  Would  you  like  to  go  that  way?  "  he  asked. 

u  Air-line?  Yes.  Let's  follow  Puck!  "  She  laughed 
softly.  He  checked  their  horses  suddenly,  and  pointed 
through  a  vista  of  the  woods,  down  to  the  outstretched 
valley  at  their  feet. 

'You  ride  'cross-country,  don't  you?"  he  enquired. 

'  Yes."  A  comprehending,  joyous  "  yes  "; — the  spirit 
of  the  wild  caught  them  at  unawares,  for  these  two  peo 
ple  loved  the  pleasant  earth,  and  the  wine  of  spring  was 
on  their  lips. 

"  Look  straight  ahead ;  Hurstville  is  around  the  shoulder 
of  this  mountain,  to  the  right.  We  will  take  the  road 
where  it  runs  parallel;  but  at  the  foot,  down  here,  we  will 
cut  off  that  long  loop  through  Bucksville,  take  to  the  fields, 
across  that  field  of  rye.  If  we  don't  come  to  grief  any 
where,  we  ought  to  be  home  before  the  rest.  Especially 
if  they  wait  for  us  at  Bucksville." 

He  watched  her  delicate  nostrils  dilate,  her  bosom  heave 
with  long  ecstatic  breaths,  as  she  leaned  forward  on  her 
horse's  neck,  following  the  route  he  pointed  out.  This 
was  a  largess  of  the  gods,  this  long  ride  through  the  glory 
of  the  spring  together,  which  neither  could  refuse. 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  273 

"  Do  you  think  they  will  wait — long?  "  she  asked  mis 
chievously. 

"  I  hope  so." 

"  I  haven't  had  a  run  'cross-country  since  I  came  north," 
wistfully. 

"  Well,  I  wouldn't  for  the  world  persuade  you,  against 
your  better  judgment — but — let's  take  it,"  he  said  drolly. 

"  You  know  perfectly  well  I  can't  refuse."  She  sighed 
blissfully,  and  they  rode  on  down  the  mountain. 

'  This  gives  me  a  good  chance  for  rehearsal,"  he  ob 
served  reflectively. 

"Rehearsal?" 

"  Yes.  I  am  not  designed  by  nature  for  the  role  of 
family  friend,  and  if  I  spring  it  on  Doc  without  rehearsing, 
there  may  be  some  misunderstanding  before  he  catches  on. 
Now,  while  I  think  of  it,  I  want  to  begin  by  giving  you  a 
piece  of  advice,  that's  been  on  my  mind  some  time :  don't 
make  Doc  dance.  He's  game,  you  know,  but  he  wasn't 
trained  to  it,  and — 

They  had  reached  the  place  where  their  projected  route 
deployed  across  the  fields,  and  before  he  could  restrain 
her,  Barbara  put  Donna  at  the  fence,  and  was  scampering 
across  the  field  of  young  rye. 

"  Don't  you  do  that  again,"  Abijah  said  sternly,  when 
he  reached  her  side.  "  You  don't  know  the  lay  of  the 
land." 

"  You  overdo  your  part,  Mr.  Bead;  you  may  have  the 
lead,  if  you  can  keep  it,"  and  she  set  the  little  mare  a 
faster  pace,  toward  an  embushed  wall.  The  Bronk 
slouched  abreast,  and  Abijah  laid  his  hand  on  her 
bridle. 

''  I  can't  let  you  lead,"  he  protested  reasonably. 

"  Perhaps  you  can't  help  it,"  was  the  mutinous  re 
sponse. 

For  answer  he  brought  the  horses  to  a  halt. 


274  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Oh,  you  have  the  advantage  of  brute  strength,"  she 
said  hotly. 

'  That's  a  reproach  to  me,  I  dare  say;  but  I  have  the 
courage  of  my  poor  qualities.  I  shall  not  hesitate  to 
coerce  you  if  you  make  it  necessary." 

She  stole  a  rebellious  look  at  him  under  her  long  droop 
ing  lashes,  like  a  naughty  child. 

"  Oh,  I  mean  it,"  he  answered,  and  she  laughed  up  at 
him. 

''  I'll  be  good,"  she  promised  demurely. 

'  Then  come  on,"  he  said  grimly,  and  led  the  way  to 
a  broken  place  in  the  wall;  and  the  way  she  negotiated  the 
fence  after  him,  the  svelt  figure  well  back,  lightly 
poised  and  swaying  to  the  stride  of  the  able  little  mare,  en 
thused  him  mightily.  Her  eyes  were  sparkling  like  trans 
lucent  gems  as  they  rode  neck  and  neck  across  a  newly 
planted  field  of  potatoes. 

'  You  see,  I  know  every  rod  of  land  in  the  county," 
Abijah  explained,  "  and  also  the  inhabitants  thereof." 
He  chuckled,  waving  a  nonchalant  greeting  to  an  irate 
farmer,  who  grimly  returned  his  salute  and  leaned  upon  his 
hoe,  watching  them,  estimating  to  the  last  possible  frac 
tion  the  damage  to  his  crops.  But  the  truant  assembly 
man  expected  to  be  mulcted  for  his  escapade. 

'  That  man  acts  better  than  yon  did,  when  Giuseppe  and 
I  went  strawberrying  in  your  field  last  summer,"  Barbara 
observed  reproachfully. 

"  Oh,  he  probably  recognised  that  it  is  some  sort  of 
a  ground-hog  case  with  me.  I'll  explain,  when  I  go  back 
to-morrow,  that  I  had  found  a  distracted  young  woman 
wandering  alone  in  the  mountains,  and  was  taking  her  by 
a  short  cut  'cross  lots  to  the  doctor,"  he  said  imperturb- 
ably. 

"  I  thought  you  were  going  back  to  Albany  to 
morrow." 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  275 

"  The  Empire  State  will  have  to  worry  along  without 
me  a  day  longer.  I've  got  to  see  that  little  school-marm 
up  at  Pang-Yang  again  before  I  go." 

"Oh!" 

"Yes,"  cheerfully.  "We  go  into  this  woods  ahead: 
there's  a  road  of  sorts,  and  beyond,  the  turnpike  for  a 
couple  of  miles.  May  meet  your  friends!  Want 
to?" 

"  No." 

Abijah  nodded  complacently. 

"  But  I  like  that  Irishman,"  he  said,  "  although  his 
touching  air  of  expecting  a  good  thing  every  time  you  open 
your  mouth  strains  me  some  to  keep  up  to  his  anticipa 
tion." 

"  You  have,  I  judge  by  his  eulogistic  remarks,  suc 
ceeded  admirably,"  responded  Barbara  with  a  touch  of 
irritation,  but  Abijah  smiled  quietly. 

The  green  embrasure  of  the  woods  received  them,  and 
the  bitter  fragrance  of  the  trampled  fern  rose  up  to  them 
like  incense. 

"  It  is  good  to  get  close  to  the  old  earth,  isn't  it?  "  he 
said,  slouching  contentedly  in  the  saddle,  as  the  horses 
ambled  side  by  side.  The  girl  sat  up,  erect,  eager,  and 
raised  her  two  hands,  like  a  cup  together,  high  before 
her. 

;<  I  pour  libations  to  the  old  earth  gods!  "  she  cried, 
and  separating  her  hands  slowly,  the  impalpable  offering, 
a  spontaneous  overflow  of  an  impetuous  gladness,  was 
poured  out  upon  the  green  earth.  Her  hands  dropped 
carelessly  upon  the  bridle  after  the  quaint  ceremony,  and, 
as  natural  and  unaffected  as  a  wood-nymph,  she  looked  up 
at  Abijah,  confident  of  his  affinity  with  the  elemental.  She 
did  not  misestimate  his  disposition  in  this  respect,  but  he 
knew  she  did  not  realise  what  her  bewitching  vagaries  and 
endearing  wiles  were  to  a  mere  mortal  man;  and  because 


276  THE  PANG-YANGER 

he  must  protect  this  darling  child  from  her  own  sweetness, 
he  took  refuge  in  his  old  mockery. 

'  Why  don't  you  use  the  proper  invocation?  "  he  en 
quired. 

;i  I  think  it  is  forgotten,"  she  said  softly. 

"  Oh,  no,  it  isn't.  I  know  it.  '  Ducdame!  Ducdame  ! 
Ducdame!'  '  he  quoted  unmercifully. 

She  flushed  slightly. 

"Pan  lives,  in  our  want  of  him;  all  the  earth  is  his. 
Why  shouldn't  we  acknowledge  it?"  she  demanded  de 
fiantly. 

"  I  do  not  object  to  the  spirit  of  the  thing,  only — why 
materialise  it?  Why  must  you  have  symbols?  They  are 
for  Pang-Yang !  We  touch  realities,  here,  now,  you  and 
I,  and  you  call  out  on — Pan !  Why  not  live  frankly 
human  lives,  in  frank  enjoyment  of  our  qualities,  such 
as  they  are?  such  as  we  have?  They're  not  divine,  but 
they  are  sweet,  beyond  a  man's  expressing.  Sweet  as  this 
day  has  been.  Can't  you  feel  rapture,  and  be  satisfied 
without  the  symbol  of  it?"  His  voice  was  vibrant  and 
quick  with  overmastering  passion,  and  this  that  he  had 
said  astonished  him,  betraying  his  intent  of  self-repres 
sion. 

"I  could,  but  I  shan't,"  said  Barbara  coolly;  "I'm 
Southern,  and  must  express  myself  or  die.  I  don't 
in  the  least  sympathise  with  your  puritanic  fear  of 
symbols.  You  Yankees  would  let  slow  fire  consume  you 
and  not  squirm!  I  shouldn't!  I'd  howl!  If  I  love,  I 
love,  and  I  want  to  say  so;  I  want  to  show  it  every  way  I 
can;  and  if  I  hate,  I  want  to  rend  things,  then  and  there! 
and  when  I'm  happy — oh,  I  want  all  the  gods  of  the 
pantheon  to  come  skipping  round  me.  Oh,  Pan!  Pan! 
Pan!  Why,  the  symbol's  in  the  essence  of  the  thing! 
We  try  to  find  it,  for  we  love  it  so!  " 

Her  voice,  at  first  cool  as  a  dash  of  rain  upon  the  face, 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  277 

died  in  caressing  cadence,  and  he  saw  the  little  hand 
shut  down  upon  the  bridle  rein,  and  roundly  cursed  him 
self. 

"  Our  temperamental  difference  puts  us  at  cross-pur 
poses  sometimes,  but  not  to-day.  A  ride's  at  least  a  ride: 
a  good  thing  in  itself.  Did  you  say  you  wished  to  race?  " 
He  was  keeping  a  firm  hand  on  himself. 

"  Yes,"  indifferently.     Oh,  Pan  !  Pan ! 

"  The  turnpike  is  over  that  fence.  It's  a  little  later 
than  I  thought,  and  we  will  make  up  time  out  there. 
Come,  you  little  pagan,  before  some  old  Druid  snatches 
you  away,  into  the  heart  of  the  woods." 

They  rode  at  a  hard  gallop  along  the  highway,  and 
when  they  left  it,  the  sun  was  setting  in  a  cloudless  sky, 
suffusing  the  atmosphere  with  faint  nebulae  of  changing 
hue.  The  dew  brought  out  the  scent  of  apple  blossoms, 
as  they  crossed  an  orchard;  and  a  dog  barked,  and  the 
cattle  scattered,  as  they  made  a  swift  incursion  through 
a  barnyard.  At  Abijah's  call  a  boy  dropped  his  clatter 
ing  milk-pails  and  sprang  to  open  the  gate  into  a  grassy, 
stone-walled  lane  which  led  down  to  a  creek. 

The  banks  were  fringed  with  alders,  and  the  waters 
lapped  and  murmured  foolishly  as  the  horses  stopped  to 
drink  in  midstream.  In  the  twilight  the  peepers  began 
their  shrill  cry,  the  basso  of  the  frogs  respondent;  a  thin 
mist  drifted  on  the  stream,  and  the  wet  ground  exhaled 
a  vaporous  breath.  Abijah  had  a  weatherly  eye  for  this 
phenomenon. 

'  It  will  give  me  an  hour  more,"  he  thought;  and  aloud 
mendaciously,  "  It's  two  miles  nearer  this  way,  but  I  don't 
know  as  we  shall  save  much  time." 

'  Time,'  "  quoth  Barbara,  "  *  was  made  for  slaves; ' 
and  as  a  young  May  moon  climbed  around  the  shoulder  of 
the  mountain,  they  rode  straight  toward  it  at  a  swinging 
pace,  across  low-lying  meadows  to  a  field-path  skirting  the 


278  THE   PANG-YANGER 

base  of  the  mountain.  The  fog  followed  them  among  the 
trees,  and  the  mist  and  moonlight  blurred  the  forest  spaces. 
The  road  wavered  through  the  soft  opacity,  unexpected 
trees  stood  in  their  way,  and  unseen  branches  thrust  out 
arms  and  touched  them  as  they  passed.  An  impalpable 
breath  lay  on  their  faces,  and  vision  underwent  strange  re 
fractions. 

"  Look  out!  "  said  Abijah  sharply,  quietly,  but  too  late; 
and  they  bowed  to  their  horses'  necks,  and  were  drenched 
as  a  wet  branch  of  ghostly  dogwrood  swept  over  them. 
Barbara's  hat  was  brushed  off,  and  the  Bronk  stepped 
in  it. 

'  You  darned  cayuse,  why  can't  you  act  like  a  gentle 
man !  "  exclaimed  Abijah  forcefully,  and  dismounting  to 
lead  the  mare,  the  disgraced  Bronk  dropped  dejectedly 
into  the  rear  of  the  little  procession  which  crept  through 
the  soft  luminous  dimness. 

"  Do  you  know  where  you  are?  "  Abijah  asked  as  he 
trudged  through  the  underbrush  at  Donna's  head.  An 
owl  flitted  before  him  with  an  eerie  cry  as  he  spoke,  and 
the  sound  of  running  water  reached  them  from  the  dis 
tance. 

"  No!  Do  you  believe  we  are  at  all?  I  think  we're 
spooks.  Even  your  shoulders  are  vague  and  unsubstan 
tial,  and  Donna  is  no  better  than  a  little  nightmare.  Are 
we  lost?  "  asked  Barbara. 

"  This  is  the  Green  Vlei." 

"Oh,  no!  There  is  an  emerald  light  in  the  Green 
Vlei; — remember?  The  sun  flickers  through  green 
branches,  and  the  air's  virescent.  This  smother  of  moon 
lit  fog  is  clammy  as  the  nether-world.  This  is  some 
borderland  we  have  got  into;  some  '  no  man's  land,'  some 
sort  of  astral  plane  where  solids  change  to  vapour.  I 
feel  light.  Say  something !  Do  you  want  to  find  the  sad 
dle  empty  when  you  turn  'round?  " 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  279 

"You  sound  like  a  little  chattering  ghost;  I  believe 
you're  frightened." 

"No,  I'm  lonesome!  I  wish  you  would  ride;  Donna 
won't  stumble." 

"  I  shan't  risk  it.  I'd  ask  you  to  come  down  here,  and 
walk,  but  it's  boggy.  We're  not  far  from  the  road. 
Listen!" 

''  If  you  hear  anything — come  here!  "  she  said  with  a 
nervous,  shivering  laugh,  and  he  stepped  back  beside  her, 
listening.  There  was  the  sound  of  horses  driven  rapidly, 
and  the  rattle  of  a  carriage  on  the  road  toward  which  they 
groped. 

'  I  thought  that  was  Doc!  I'll  shout  for  him  to  stop," 
Abijah  said. 

"What  for?" 

'To  take  you  in,  of  course.     Shan't  I?     Quick!" 

"  No." 

"  Oh,  all  right.  Of  course  he  may  be  starting  for  the 
back  of  yonder  on  a  night  call,  but  I've  an  instinct  he's 
after  you." 

"  It  might  not  be  he,  at  all." 

'  Why,  don't  you  know  the  travel  of  his  ponies?  Every 
one  else  in  Hurstville  does.  Doc  is  in  a  rush  for  some 
thing.  One  horse  can't  keep  up  with  him  to-day." 

An  icy  little  hand  touched  his  cheek  softly. 

'  I'm  cold!  "  said  Barbara  forlornly. 

'Why,  you're  frozen!  Give  me  both  hands:  why 
didn't  you  tell  me,  dear?  " 

The  last  word  slipped  out,  and  surprised  him  more  than 
it  did  Barbara,  to  whom  expressions  of  endearment  were 
familiar  things,  but  he  did  not  regret  it.  Dear  she  was, 
and  growing  dearer  every  moment  that  he  held  her  little 
hands  against  his  throbbing  throat. 

'  I  left  my  gloves  at  the  foot  of  that  ledge,"  she 
shivered. 


28o  THE  PANG-YANGER 

He  stripped  off  his  coat  and  folded  it  round  her. 

''  We'll  get  out  of  this  before  you  get  your  death ! 
You'll  warm  up  with  a  good  canter.  I'm  sorry  I  didn't 
yell  at  Doc  now,"  he  said,  and  led  Donna  toward  the  road 
at  a  great  pace. 

"  I'm  not.  Think  I  want  to  ask  him  to  get  me  out  of 
this  scrape  when  he  did  not  wish  me  to  go  to  Pang- 
Yang?  "  enquired  Barbara. 

"Oh,  I  see!  I  wondered  how  you  happened  to  be 
there!"  Abijah  smiled  to  himself,  but  his  insinuation 
was  not  refuted.  He  remounted  on  the  highway  and  they 
rode  in  silence,  side  by  side. 

The  mist  between  them  and  the  village  rayed  the  town 
lights  with  vague,  wavering  halos,  the  pallid  moon  but 
just  sufficed  to  make  the  dimness  round  them  visible,  and 
the  roar  of  the  rushing  kills  drowned  other  night-sounds. 
Barbara  returned  the  coat  when  a  few  minutes'  headlong 
gallop  brought  them  to  the  outskirts  of  the  town.  At  her 
own  gate,  Abijah  lifted  her  from  the  saddle  in  a  broad 
gleam  of  lamplight  from  the  open  door.  A  stalwart 
figure  loomed  athwart  the  light. 

''  Is  yo'  all  right,  honey?  " 

'  Yes,  mammy,"  called  the  girl. 

"  Is  yo'  all  right,  honey?"  echoed  Abijah,  in  a  voice 
touched  with  ineffable  tenderness. 

"Hello!"  called  an  English  voice  from  across  the 
street,  and  a  large,  shadowy  figure  rose  from  among  other 
shadowy  figures  on  the  Phelps'  piazza. 

"  Hello!  "  Abijah's  response  was  prompt  if  not  cordial. 

''  I  say — er — did  you  meet  with  an  accident,  Bead?  " 
called  Sir  Benjamin. 

"No.     Why  didn't  you  wait?" 

'  We  waited  for  you  hours  in  Bucksville;  we  just  got 
in !  "  called  Maude  Phelps  accusingly. 

"  Is  yo'  all  right,  honey?  "     Mam'  Lilly's  query  floated 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  281 

again  through  the  darkness,  and  Mrs.  Phelps'  sweet, 
languid  voice  was  tinged  by  a  faint  raillery;  Abijah 
thought  he  felt  the  girl's  figure  stiffen  at  the  sound. 

"  All  right!  "  he  answered  for  her.  "  What  did  you 
think  of  the  performance,  Sir  Benjamin?" 

'  Why — er — it  was  really  extraordinary,  by  Jove !  " 
replied  the  baronet,  and  there  was  a  soft  ripple  of  laughter 
around  him. 

Abijah  turned  his  back  to  further  enquiries  in  that 
direction. 

"  You  are  coming  in,"  said  Barbara;  "  Mike,  take  the 
Bronk  to  the  barn." 

"  Oh,  let  him  stand  here,  Mike,"  said  Abijah,  but  he 
followed  up  the  pathway  to  the  house.  He  had  had  no 
such  intention,  but  the  situation  clearly  required  that  he 
should  go  in. 

Something  of  his  childish  veneration  for  the  great  house 
of  the  village  revived  as  he  passed  the  portals.  Barbara 
introduced  him,  nonchalantly  and  immediately,  into  the 
presence  of  the  assembled  family,  and  the  social  prepared 
ness  implied  by  this  informality  impressed  him  tremen 
dously:  it  was  so  perfectly  his  ideal  of  the  accustomed 
family  state  and  dignity,  and  Barbara's  vivacity  was  not 
incongruous  with  it. 

The  two  made  antiphonal  explanations,  standing,  mud- 
splashed  and  dishevelled,  but  in  no  wise  abashed  or  dis 
concerted,  before  the  ladies  Hurst,  who  dissembled,  with 
more  or  less  success,  the  natural  surprise  Abijah's  advent 
caused  them.  At  the  same  time  and  place  the  previous 
evening  Dr.  Pomfret  had  come  in  with  Barbara,  announc 
ing  their  betrothal.  Precedent  was  lacking  them:  they 
could  only  entertain  a  lively  expectation  of  the  unexpected, 
and  welcome  the  newcomer  because  Barbara  presented 
him. 

Presently  Mam'  Lilly  led  the  way  to  the  spare  room, 


282  THE  PANG-YANGER 

a  great  chamber  which  looked,  such  was  Zillah's  superla 
tive  housekeeping,  as  though  it  had  been  waiting  for  him, 
and  brought  him  water;  and  he  found  the  other  where 
withals  for  cleanliness  (except  a  boot-brush),  and  went 
down  the  winding  stairs  with  a  queer  sense  of  the  un 
reality  of  Abijah  Bead  kicking  his  heels  in  the  old  Hurst 
hallway.  He  had  scarcely  time  to  accomplish  this  meta 
phorical  feat,  before  Barbara  flashed  out  of  her  room 
like  a  cardinal  bird  in  a  gorgeous  little  gown,  and  flew 
down  after  him;  and  Mam'  Lilly  swung  her  fan  across 
the  balustrade  to  Abijah,  who  caught  it;  and  accused  Bar 
bara  of  escaping  half  arrayed;  contrasting  her  dew-wet 
curly  pate  with  the  sleek  order  of  his  own  straight  hair, 
as  they  rollicked  past  a  mirror,  and  so  on  into  the  dining- 
room,  like  children. 

It  was  a  merry  meal.  The  lightest  jest  was  vitalised 
by  the  rapport  between  them,  and  suppressed  excitement 
gave  a  tingling  interest  to  mere  detail :  Mam'  Lilly  hovered 
over  them,  and  through  the  open  doorway  the  elder  ladies 
listened  and  enjoyed  with  a  vague  apprehension.  Barbara 
was  sparkling,  irresistible,  and  withal  as  hoarse  as  a  little 
frog,  and  the  man's  laughter  stirred  the  heavier  echoes  of 
the  quiet  house;  but  their  persiflage  could  not  disguise  a 
tension,  a  suspense,  a  reckless  lightness  in  their  speech  and 
laughter. 

"Doc's  coming!"  said  Abijah,  catching  the  far-off 
sound,  and  as  they  listened  he  watched  the  girl's  face 
keenly,  beneath  his  heavy,  level  lids.  He  might  just  as 
well  have  looked  at  two  fair  stars  in  the  dark  sky,  for  her 
eyes  told  him  nothing.  Men  and  women  only  understand 
each  other  after  an  age  prohibiting  the  personal  use  of 
such  knowledge;  which  perhaps  is  well,  but  retrospectively 
exasperating :  for  while  the  ignorance  of  youth  is  defen 
sive,  safety  is  purchased  at  the  loss  of  priceless  opportuni 
ties  which  do  not  recur. 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  283 

"  Zillah,  did  Doctor  go  to  look  for  us?  "  asked  Bar 
bara,  raising  her  voice  to  reach  the  ladies  in  the  next 
room. 

"No— o!  "  replied  Zillah. 

The  doctor's  ponies  came  pattering  rapidly  down  the 
quiet  street.  The  Bronk  whinnied  hospitably  from  the 
gate-post  as  they  passed. 

"  By  Jupiter!  "  exclaimed  Abijah,  and  sprang  up, 
for  the  doctor  did  not  stop.  "  Told  you  he  wouldn't 
catch  onto  my  role,"  he  exploded,  and  dashed  through 
the  house,  out  at  the  front  door,  and  across  the  gar 
den. 

'  Doc !  Doc !  "  he  shouted,  and  sprinted  down  the  street. 
The  doctor  stopped.  "You  damn  fool!  "  said  Abijah, 
and  climbed  into  the  carriage. 

'  Well !  "  said  Pomfret  brusquely. 

'  Your  girl's  waiting  for  you,"  said  Abijah  severely. 

:'  I  have  got  to  go  down  to  the  office,"  the  doctor  ex 
plained  with  such  dignity  as  might  be. 

''Nit!  Here's  where  you  turn  around!"  announced 
Abijah,  and  his  rapid  explanation  would  have  soothed 
Othello. 

''  She  broke  out  of  the  corral  and  strayed  'way  off  to 
Pang-Yang,  but  I  recognised  your  brand  and  headed  her  for 
home  by  a  short  cut.  I've  held  her  on  the  snaffle  all  the 
way:  I'm  plumb  worn  out;  but  the  dunderheaded  counter 
action  of  the  rest  of  the  world  is  always  frustrating  my 
good  intentions,"  he  said  pensively.  "  However,  '  I  have 
tarried  for  the  blessing,'  and,  by  gum  !  I'm  going  to  bestow 
it,  if  it  busts  a  suspender.  You  come  on  back  to  your  girl. 
Sabe?" 

Barbara  heard  his  long  stride  leading  the  way  through 
the  hall  and  called  out  to  them  from  her  place  at  the  table. 
She  was  eating  bread  and  butter  when  they  came  in,  and 
the  impish  ruse  did  not  strike  Abijah  until  she  held  her 


284  THE  PANG-YANGER 

hand  out  to  the  doctor,  and  then  he  could  have  shouted  at 
the  absurd  expedient.  Obviously,  no  man  could  kiss  a 
maiden  so  voracious.  The  doctor  did  not  attempt  to  do 
so.  His  grizzled  moustache  lightly  brushed  her  fingers 
as  he  sat  down  beside  her,  and  Abijah  took  refuge  from 
conflicting  emotions  under  his  mask  of  imperturbability. 
The  dear  little  hand  that  had  nestled  at  his  throat!  He 
could  have  shouted  with  demoniac  irony! 

"Bless  you,  my  children!"  He  solemnly  extended 
his  arms  towards  them  across  the  table.  Then  he  sat 
down,  and  stolidly  resumed  his  interrupted  repast.  He 
was  "  one  who  was  nourished  by  his  victuals  "  even  though 
he  were  by  way  of  being  hopelessly  in  love. 

"Oh,  confound  you,  'Bijah!  "  said  the  doctor  testily. 
'  You  can't  take  that  role  after  such  a  wild-goose  chase 
as  you  have  led  Miss  Hurst  to-day.    You  have  taken  cold 
again,"  turning  grimly  to  Barbara. 

"  Oh,  no,  it's  just  the  fog  in  my  throat !  I'm  sorry  you 
were  worried.  Please  don't  be  vexed.  I  have  had  such  a 
glorious  ride !  "  It  was  simply  adorable — the  naive  apol 
ogy,  placating  both  men.  She  was  too  wilful  sweet  to  be 
gainsaid  for  any  mischief,  and  they  both  looked  at  her 
with  indulgent  fondness,  and  at  each  other  sheepishly. 
Beneath  his  breath  Abijah  swore  fervently;  a  kind  of  in 
choate  prayer  for  all  three  of  them. 

He  made  his  adieus  in  Madam's  room  almost  immedi 
ately  after  supper,  and  as  he  approached  Barbara  to  say 
good-bye,  she  fell  into  step  with  him,  and  paced  deliberate 
beside  him,  down  the  long  vista  of  the  parlours,  through 
the  hall,  and  out  to  the  very  verge  of  the  piazza.  The 
mist  filled  the  garden,  but  they  were  in  the  lamplight,  as 
they  stood  between  the  great  Doric  columns.  Barbara 
was  too  miserable  to  be  conscious  of  observation,  but 
Abijah  glowered  into  the  fog  at  unseen  spectators,  and  his 
gyves  cut  deep. 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  285 

'  Will  you  go  over  the  course  again  with  me  to-mor 
row?  "  he  asked,  abruptly,  recklessly. 

"  How  can  I?  "  she  made  answer  very  low. 

"Would  you  like  to?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Then  I  am  coming  after  you  to-morrow  morning." 

"No!" 

"  Why  not?  "  imperatively;  but  she  was  silent.  It  was 
for  him  to  speak.  Would  not  his  impetuosity  sweep  down 
all  impediments?  If  not,  she  would  not  help  him,  no, 
not  for  her  life. 

;'  It  is  our  last  chance  for  a  ride  this  summer,  dear," 
he  urged,  bending  toward  her. 

She  was  trembling  very  much. 

"  A  last  chance  does  not  appeal  to  me,  sir,"  she  man 
aged  to  say  with  some  spirit. 

'  What  do  you  want?  "  he  demanded  helplessly. 

She  laughed.  '  Why,  really,  Mr.  Bead,  it  has  not  oc 
curred  to  me  to  requisition  you  for  anything,"  she  re 
torted  defiantly,  and  he  was  silent,  sullen,  impotent.  Per 
haps  she  did  not,  after  all,  care  greatly,  and  for  himself, 
what  matter?  What  mattered  anything  in  the  world? 

"  I  have  no  right  to  keep  you  out  here,"  he  said 
brusquely,  and  held  out  his  hand. 

"  Good-night,"  she  murmured,  and  felt  her  hand 
clasped  for  a  moment  in  a  tractile  hold,  but  did  not  yield 
to  its  imploring. 

"God  bless  you,  dear!"  he  said  huskily,  and  went 
striding  down  into  the  mist,  where  the  Bronk  awaited  him. 
A  devil  of  unrest  possessed  him.  He  sought  diversion 
at  the  club,  and  took  it,  in  an  orgy  of  speechless  smoke 
and  savagery:  turning  his  back  upon  the  room,  with  his 
feet  on  the  window-sill,  and  surrounding  himself  with  an 
impenetrable  atmosphere  of  moroseness. 

To   him   presently   came   the   Irishman,    fleeing  sheep- 


286  THE  PANG-YANGER 

ishly  the  hushed  excitement  of  the  natal  hour  at  his 
cousin's  house,  and,  beaming  through  the  smoke  like  a 
full  and  ruddy  moon,  temerariously  announced  the  event. 
The  room  tingled  with  suppressed  excitement  as  the  ren 
contre  took  place,  and  Abijah  emerged  from  his  cloud. 
He  received  the  opportune  visitor  with  grave  and  por 
tentous  dignity,  formally  felicitated  the  house  of  Phelps, 
and  as  an  appropriate  offering  to  the  malignant  demons  of 
a  world  of  singular  misrule,  deliberately  set  out  to  intoxi 
cate  the  bland  and  innocent  Irish  gentleman.  This  he 
found  no  easy  task :  the  baronet  could  drink  steadily  for 
as  long  as  he  sat  quiet;,  without  apparent  inconvenience; 
and  his  remarkable  powers  of  absorbing  his  host's  liba 
tions  would  have  defeated  Abijah's  shameless  purpose,  if, 
to  his  disgust,  others,  joining  in  their  quiet  revel,  had 
not  become  convivial,  so  that  a  decent  regard  for  his 
birthplace  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  inveigle  them  all 
to  accompany  him  to  the  next  town,  to  complete  the  orgy. 
The  transit  revealed  Sir  Benjamin  helpless  from  the  waist 
down,  and  Abijah  joyously  supported  him  out,  piled  him 
upon  the  all-enduring  Bronk,  and,  with  such  others  as 
were  able,  set  off  on  foot  for  the  depot,  three  hilarious 
miles  below.  No  train  being  due  until  the  next  morning, 
he  coerced  the  protesting  and  almost  weeping  Giacoso  to 
help  him  start  a  hand-car  down  the  mountain.  He  took 
the  brake,  the  hair-raising  trip  terminated  without  casu 
alties,  and  their  wild  irruption  into  Kelley's  Junction  was 
memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  town. 

Leaving  the  rest  to  sleep  it  off,  Abijah  returned  to 
Hurstville  by  an  early  train  next  morning,  and  after  a 
sullen  plunge  into  the  swimming  pool  in  the  creek, 
mounted  the  Bronk,  and  rode  somberly  back  over  the 
route  of  the  day  before,  with  his  cheque-book  in  his 
pocket  to  forestall  any  possibility  of  subsequent  annoy 
ance  to  Barbara.  His  black  mood  was  upon  him,  and 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  287 

the  little  school-marm  at  Pang-Yang  never  connected  the 
ungenial  visit  of  the  big  assemblyman  with  the  new  school- 
house  which  was  built  that  summer.  As  he  automatically 
prospected  a  site  for  the  new  building,  his  hand  crushed 
upon  a  little  pair  of  well-worn  gauntlets  in  his  pocket,  and 
the  feel  of  the  helpless  things  stung  him  to  the  most  ven 
omous  acrimony.  He  knew,  as  a  man  knows,  that  not 
withstanding  the  refusal  of  the  night  before,  he  could  lead 
their  owner  anywhither,  and  a  tumult  of  emotions  stormed 
through  him.  If  he  let  himself  go—  It  was  what  all 

the  world  would  expect  of  him ;  and  he  rode  with  a  cruel 
rein.  .  .  .  He  offered  gifts  to  no  divinity,  but  that  within 
him  held  him  bound;  an  old  refrain  re-echoed  in  his  ears 
till  he  repeated  it  aloud  sardonically: 

'  Whatsoever  things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are 
just,  whatsoever  things  are  pure !  '  Oh,  damn !  let  'em 
stay  so !  I  can't  involve  that  girl  in  any  relation 
with  the  likes  of  me !  "  and  conscious  of  no  high  mood  of 
abnegation,  he  swore  roundly  at  himself  that  mere  decency 
should  be  so  difficult  for  him.  For  he  dared  not  trust  him 
self  with  her  again.  Well,  it  was  in  a  man's  power  to 
stay  away!  And  he  set  his  big  jaws  savagely,  and  in  the 
privacy  of  the  solitary  highway,  wrapped  and  addressed 
the  little  gauntlets  and  sent  them  by  mail  without  a  word; 
while  by  a  circuitous  and  weary  route  he  went  from  Bucks- 
ville  to  Albany  without  returning  home. 

To  Barbara's  relief  Dr.  Pomfret  was  summoned  to 
attend  Mrs.  Phelps,  a  few  moments  after  she  had  rejoined 
him  in  the  parlour;  but  he  exhibited  a  brutal  deliberation 
in  responding  to  the  call. 

''  I  haven't  had  you  a  minute  to-day;  I  want  to  know 
why  you  ran  away  from  me,"  he  said,  as  the  messenger 
departed. 

"  I  wanted  to  think.  Doctor,  how  can  you  stay  here, 
and  let  that  poor  woman  suffer?  " 


288  THE  PANG-YANGER 

The  doctor  chuckled. 

'  The  nurse  is  there.  I  can't  help  her  suffering.  You 
want  to  think,  Barbara?  I  judge  you  do  not  do  much 
deliberating.  Do  you  want  another  twenty-four  hours, 
darling?" 

"  No." 

"  Sweetheart!     I  can't  realise  you  mean  it!  " 

44  If  you  are  sure  you  want  me— 

'  Want  you,  my  love,  my  little  wife !  "  the  doctor  whis 
pered,  and  Barbara  wondered  dully  after  he  had  gone 
why  she  was  not  acutely  miserable.  Sensibility  seemed 
deadened  by  an  overpowering  weariness;  she  lay  for 
hours,  staring  at  the  lighted  windows  of  the  house  across 
the  way.  The  mountain  was  obscured  by  their  illumina 
tion,  and  several  times  she  saw  the  doctor  draw  back  the 
curtains  and  look  toward  her,  across  the  darkness. 

In  the  middle  of  the  night  Zillah  was  awakened  by 
her  singing:  a  strange,  hoarse  voice,  and  one  of  the 
strangest  of  her  little  tunes. 

'  When  Love  is  kind, 

Gentle  and  free, 
Love's  sure  to  find 

Welcome  from  me.'  " 

Zillah  went  in  swiftly,  found  the  girl  in  a  burning  fever, 
and  Barbara  left  off  singing,  and  told  her  she  was  cold, 
very  cold,  and  wanted  'Bijah  to  put  his  coat  round  her 
again. 

"  It  smells  so  nice  and  tobaccoy,"  she  added  with  a 
tender  little  laugh. 

Zillah  was  inexpressibly  shocked.  She  sat  down  on 
the  edge  of  the  bed  to  reason  with  this  scandalous  de 
lirium  in  the  interests  of  decorum :  but  Barbara  babbled 
on  with  a  circumstantial  and  complex  account  of  a  snake, 
and  v/ind-swept  rocks,  and  shivering  fogs,  until  the  dis- 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN  289 

tracted  listener  called  Mam'  Lilly  up,  and  sent  her  across 
the  street  for  the  doctor. 

He  came  immediately,  and  in  a  few  moments  his  pres 
ence  quieted  the  girl,  who  took  the  medicine  he  gave, 
without  a  protest,  and  presently  sank  to  sleep. 

For  the  rest  of  the  night  he  vibrated  between  his  two 
patients,  and  daylight  brought  rejoicing  to  the  house  of 
Phelps,  for  a  young  son. 

Barbara  opened  her  eyes  and  looked  at  the  doctor  and 
Zillah  standing  by  her  bedside  in  the  grey  of  the  morning. 

"  Is — is  Maman  worse?  "  she  whispered  in  alarm. 

"  Madam  Hurst  is  all  right.  You  have  kept  Miss 
Zillah  up  all  night,  with  your  rough  riding.  You  better 
wait  till  you  grow  up  before  you  ride  with  'Bijah  Bead 
again.  You  get  a  fever  every  time  you  get  tired  out,  just 
like  a  child " 

The  doctor's  scolding  was  abruptly  terminated  by  a 
quivering  lip. 

"There!  There!"  (Zillah  discreetly  left  the  room, 
but  Mam'  Lilly  leaned,  unregarded,  on  the  footboard.) 
"My  darling!  I  did  not  mean  to  blame  you;  I'm  too 
glad  you  are  no  worse.  Go  to  sleep  again.  I'll  come  in 
after  I've  had  a  nap  myself."  He  stooped  and  kissed 
her  gently.  Her  soft  arms  went  around  his  neck. 

"  You  are  so  good!  "  said  the  girl  brokenly. 


XVII 

A~IJAH  BEAD  presented  himself  unexpectedly  at 
his  mother's  house  on  the  morning  of  the  Fourth, 
and  constituted  himself  her  escort  for  the  fes 
tivities  of  the  day,  as  casually  as  though  filial  piety 
was  a  specialty  of  his.  Mrs.  Bead  was  exceedingly 
gratified,  and  in  a  suppressed  flutter  of  excitement 
trudged  off  beside  him  down  the  street,  ignoring  a 
previous  arrangement  whereby  she  was  to  view  the  cere 
monies  luxuriously,  from  a  seat  in  her  daughter's  car 
riage.  For  Abijah  was  one  of  the  speakers  of  the  day, 
was  to  sit  on  the  flag-draped  platform  in  the  square, 
among  the  dignitaries  of  his  native  place;  and  this  was  a 
realisation  of  maternal  ambition  more  tangible,  and  there 
fore  on  the  whole  of  a  subtler  satisfaction,  than  anything 
which  Mrs.  Bead  had  hitherto  enjoyed.  Local  reflection 
of  her  son's  achievements  was  more  real  than  the  reality. 
Albany  was  a  far  cry  to  home-keeping  folks;  and  as  for 
his  money,  he  might  as  well  not  have  it,  for  all  the  evi 
dence  of  it  in  Hurstville.  Witness  their  present  progress 
down  the  dusty  village  street;  and  he  still  further  de 
tracted  from  their  dignity  by  carrying  a  camp-chair  on 
his  arm,  for  her  use  during  the  speaking.  Mrs.  Bead 
regretted  her  refusal  of  a  carriage  of  her  own.  Although 
she  detested  driving,  she  decided  to  speak  to  Abijah  of 
this  matter,  if  he  dined  with  her  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
ceremonies,  and  allow  him  to  provide  her  with  a  proper 
equipage. 

"  My  son,"  she  enquired,  negligently  trailing  one  side 

290 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  291 

of  her  best  black  silk,  and  agitating  her  sunshade  ner 
vously,  "  my  son,  have  you  got  your  speech  by  heart?  " 

"  My  speech?  Oh,  yes,  certainly,"  said  Abijah  ab 
sently. 

;'  I — I  declare,  'Bijah,  I'm  as  nervous  as  though  I  had 
to  deliver  it  myself.  I  want  you  to  do  credit  to  yourself, 
here  in  Hurstville,  of  all  places  in  the  world." 

''  I'll  do  my  little  darndest,"  answered  Abijah  soberly. 

"  I  wish  you  had  worn  your  Prince  Albert  coat,  my 
son.  That  blue  suit  looks  very  nice;  but  the  speakers  al 
ways  dress  up,  you  know,"  Mrs.  Bead  continued  anxiously. 

Abijah  looked  reflectively  down  the  length  of  him,  and 
made  a  vicious  tug  at  his  collar. 

"  Such  weather  as  this,  people  ought  not  to  wear 
clothes  at  all,"  he  declared,  and  his  mother  tactfully 
changed  the  subject  lest  her  erratic  offspring  should  dis 
card  some  superfluous  garments  then  and  there. 

Hurstville  always  celebrated  the  Fourth  with  the  pomp 
and  circumstance  of  established  ceremony,  and  an  in 
gathering  from  the  surrounding  countryside  came  to  wit 
ness  the  festivities.  There  was  a  parade  in  the  morning, 
followed  by  patriotic  speeches  in  the  square;  and  at  night, 
fireworks.  An  essential  feature  of  the  parade  was  the 
ladies'  float:  a  platform  mounted  on  a  lumber  wagon, 
drawn  by  four  horses,  and  driven  by  Uncle  Sam,  who,  in 
his  proper  person,  was  old  Pappy  Terwilliger,  a  capi 
tal  impersonation,  but  becoming  a  decrepit  Jehu,  whose 
erstwhile  prancing  steeds  were  now  selected  from  the 
steadiest  plough-horses  of  the  community.  Even  this 
precaution  on  the  part  of  the  marshals  no  longer  allayed 
the  apprehension  of  those  whose  friends  or  relatives  were 
selected  for  the  perilous  honour  of  the  float.  It  was  an 
especially  small  one  this  year,  representing  the  thirteen 
original  States,  with  Liberty  atop,  maintaining  a  pre 
carious  equilibrium  by  holding  to  her  flag-staff  for  very 


292  THE  PANG-YANGER 

dear  life,  as  the  springless  vehicle  bumped  and  swayed 
over  the  rough  road. 

''  If  Pappy  Terwilliger  is  retained  another  year,  we 
shall  witness  a  sacrifice  of  virginity  which  will  be  a  sheer 
waste  of  material,"  remarked  Abijah:  and  his  mother, 
shocked,  glanced  around  in  fear  that  he  was  overheard. 

"Hush — h!"  she  said  peremptorily,  and  Abijah 
choked,  and  "  hushed  "  obediently. 

"  I  think  the  girls  have  made  an  unusually  effective 
presentation  this  year,"  she  remarked  aloud. 

"  M — m — m!  "  returned  Abijah,  lifting  his  hat  as  the 
float  passed.  Of  course  he  expected  no  return  of  recog 
nition  from  the  dramatis  persona  thereon,  but  he  thought 
that  North  Carolina  appeared  particularly  oblivious. 

'  This  will  be  Maude's  and  Barbara's  last  appearance, 
I  suppose,"  Mrs.  Bead  observed. 

"Good  thing!"  ejaculated  her  son  heartily.  ''It  is 
always  to  me  a  painful  spectacle.  The  sun  blisters  all 
their  poor  little  noses;  and  did  you  notice  Maude  Phelps' 
arm  twined  around  that  flag-pole?  " 

"  Not  particularly." 

"  Of  course  I  know  she  had  to  twine  or  tumble !  but 
when  I  saw  that  arm,  I  shuddered."  He  did  it  again 
retrospectively,  as  the  float  disappeared. 

"  Maude  is  thin,"  admitted  Mrs.  Bead  judicially,  "  but 
she  is  a  sweet  girl;  I'm  sorry  Sir  Benjamin  is  taking  her 
out  of  our  midst." 

'Think  of  that  arm  twined  about  a  man's  neck!" 
soliloquised  Abijah. 

"  Abijah!  Do  be  more  careful  what  you  say,  my  son! 
You  know  you  would  not  want  to  be  overheard.  She  and 
Barbara  wanted  a  double  wedding,  but  the  doctor  vetoed 
that  pretty  quick !  He  has  sense  enough  left  not  to  parade 
himself  beside  a  young  man  like  Sir  Benjamin.  He  made 
an  awful  fuss  about  Barbara  riding  on  the  float  to-day. 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  293 

He  wants  to  keep  her  in  cotton  wool,  but  Barbara  refuses 
to  be  kept.  She  rides  rough-shod  over  him,  and  he  thinks 
it's  cute!  There's  no  fool  like  an  old  fool.  I  did  hope 
you  would  take  a  fancy  to  that  girl,  Abijah.  I  believe 
you  could  have  had  her  if  you  had  wanted  to." 

'  Is  she  the  eighth?  It's  no  wonder  men  are  conceited 
since  they  all  have  mothers.  Can't  you  let  me  live  a 
quiet  life?  Politics  is  a  serene  and  peaceful  vocation  com 
pared  to  any  matrimonial  ventures  I  have  watched." 

Mrs.  Bead  sighed. 

'Where  is  Rob  to-day?"  she  enquired. 

''  I  am  not  sure;  but  I  think  I  recognise  two  pairs  of 
legs  in  that  tree  beside  the  platform.  I  told  oft  Jerry  to 
keep  an  eye  on  the  kid  to-day,  and  they  are  both  sure  to 
be  somewhere  near." 

"  My  son,  Mr.  Palmer  is  beckoning  you!  Have  you 
got  your  speech  all  right?  I  hope  you  won't  break  down 
before  all  these  people  who  know  you."  Mrs.  Bead  was 
actually  pale  with  excitement. 

Abijah  escorted  her  nearer  to  the  speaker's  stand,  and 
put  down  the  camp-chair. 

'  Don't  you  fret,  mother,"  he  reassured  her,  and 
through  glasses  dimmed  by  tears  of  pride  and  happiness, 
she  watched  him  take  his  seat  upon  the  speakers'  plat 
form. 

When  he  was  required  to  speak  he  stepped  to  the  front 
of  the  speaker's  desk,  thrust  his  hands  deep  into  his  coat- 
pockets,  and  deliberately  let  his  eyes  rove  over  the  as 
sembly  before  he  began.  He  knew  personally  almost 
every  one  of  the  few  hundred  people  present,  and  each 
individual  acquaintance  felt  personally  addressed.  His 
powerful  voice  enabled  him  to  maintain  a  conversational 
tone:  it  was  very  much  as  if  he  had  come  into  Murrey's 
and  drifted  into  one  of  his  unique  disquisitions  on  things 
in  general. 


294  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Old  Mr.  Deyo  drove  for  a  mile  toward  home  in  silence, 
after  the  exercises  of  the  day  were  finished. 

"  I  never  see  sich  a  feller  as  'Bijah  anyhow!  "  he  an 
nounced  finally.  il  I  been  trying  to  think  what  to  write 
Bill  Hen  'bout  this  speech  of  his,  and  to  save  my  gizzard 
I  can't  think  of  a  thing  he  said.  Yet  he  had  us  all 
a-laffin',  or  most  a-cryin'  all  the  time.  What  did  he 
say,  mother?  Your  a  good  hand  to  keep  track  of  a 
sermon.  Neow  what  did  'Bijah  Bead  say  in  this  Fourth- 
o'-July-in' of  his?" 

"  It  wasn't  what  he  said,  father,  'twas  how  he  said  it; 
and  I  guess  that's  what  makes  eloquence.  He  made  me 
feel  that  Hurstville  was  the  best  place  in  all  creation  to 
be  born,  and  live,  and  die  in.  I  wanted  to  hug  folks,  I 
was  so  glad  we  all  belonged  to  each  other :  I  should  say 
his  main  point  was  '  local  patriotism,'  though  I  dunno  ez 
I  express  it  just  right  either.  There  wasn't  anything  nar 
row  about  it;  and  anyway,  I  guess  most  folks  feel  to 
trust  'Bijah  Bead  more'n  they  ever  did  in  their  life.  / 
do,  anyhow !  " 

"  Did  you  see  the  dominie  shaking  hands  with  him? 
That  was  a  'lection  speech  all  right.  What  I  wonder  is, 
did  'Bijah  mean  it  for  that,  or  did  he  feel  it?  I  never  did 
see  sich  a  feller,  anyway;  you  never  know  what  he'll  do 
next;  but  I  allus  did  say  'Bijah  was  a  good-hearted  fel 
ler;  "  thus  old  Mr.  Deyo. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  the  '  Glorious  Fourth  '?  "  en 
quired  Mrs.  Phelps,  when  Sir  Benjamin  came  in  with 
Maude  that  afternoon. 

"I  enjoyed  it  ever  so!  Plenty  of  saltpetre,  y'know, 
and  the  eagle  screamed  in  approved  Yankee  fashion.  The 
speeches  were — er — quite  up  to  the  average  English  rural 
efforts  anywhere,  and  Mr.  Bead  was  far  beyond.  That 
young  man  will  go  far  toward  distinction  in  politics,  I 
should  think.  Did  you  not  think  he  handled  his  subject 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  295 

cleverly?  "  Sir  Benjamin  looked  to  Maude  for  confirma 
tion.  She  nodded  briefly. 

'What  was  his  subject?"  enquired  Mrs.  Phelps  in 
differently. 

'  Why — er—       '  Sir  Benjamin  hesitated. 

"  Patriotism,  like  charity,  begins  at  home.  *  Lives 
there  a  man,'  etc. — who  isn't  proud  and  happy  to  be  a 
Delaware  County  voter?  "  suggested  his  fiancee. 

'  Why — er — yes  !  That  quite  expresses  one  aspect. 
He  developed  the  historical — er — idea — y'know.  Family 
to  clan,  clan  to  nation,  and  that,  y'know." 

"  Progress  from  incoherent  homogeneity  to  coherent 
heterogeneity."  Barbara  Hurst  had  come  upon  the  ve 
randa  unperceived,  and  was  leaning  in  at  the  open  win 
dow. 

;' Nonsense!"  exclaimed  Maude  sharply;  "as  if  he 
understands  anything  of  abstruse  science !  " 

"  I — er — rather  think  he  does,  though.  He  has  a  de 
cent  library  and  it's  all — er — that  sort  of  stuff,"  testified 
Sir  Benjamin. 

"  Ha !  ha !  You  none  of  you  got  onto  'Bijah's  little 
game  then,  did  you?"  laughed  Benji  Phelps.  "I 
never  saw  a  trick  done  neater !  It  was  a  '  heaven,  home, 
and  mother'  kind  of  speech,  Sally;  and  he  had  the  old 
lady  along  instead  of  the  boy,  by  George !  You  couldn't 
understand  his  local  hits,  Benjamin,  but  you  could  see  he 
made  the  old  women  of  both  sexes  sniff.  Well,  Dad  says 
his  '  rooral  constituents  '  begin  to  suspicion  'Bijah's  a 
little  too  darn  smart,  the  way  he's  handled  things  in  Al 
bany.  So  he  had  to  prod  Rube's  emotional  nature  and 
inspire  a  sentiment  of  confidence  in  himself  before  the 
next  election.  And  he  did  it.  Oh,  'Bijah's  a  crack- 
a-jack  at  anything  he  sets  out  for;  isn't  he,  Miss  Bar 
bara?" 

Barbara  raised  her  pretty  brows  indifferently.     Benji 


296  THE  PANG-YANGER 

had  teased  her  a  good  deal  about  Abijah's  attentions  since 
the  day  at  Pang-Yang. 

"History!  Science!  Politics!  It  must  have  been  a 
Pentecostal  outpouring,  since  each  of  you  heard  in  his 
own  tongue,"  commented  Mrs.  Phelps,  with  unusual  vi 
vacity;  she  was  suffused  with  a  sudden  sense  of  well- 
being,  of  complacent  safety;  this  was  Abijah's  second 
visit  to  Hurstville  without  Rob,  and  her  hazardous  visit 
to  him  in  Albany  was  thus  justified. 

"Are  you  going  to  practise  any  this  afternoon?"  en 
quired  Barbara  abruptly,  and  Maude,  who  had  been 
writhing  under  her  brother's  fatuous  remarks,  assented 
with  relief. 

'  Though  I  don't  suppose  there  will  be  a  constellation 
left  in  heaven,  if  we  go  shooting  after  jolting  on  that 
float,"  she  laughed. 

'  You  girls  better  anoint  your  noses  with  cold  cream, 
if  you  are  going  out  again,  or  you  will  be  sights  to 
morrow,"  Mrs.  Phelps  advised  kindly. 

"  Don't  the  shooting  disturb  him,  Sally?  "  interposed 
Mr.  Phelps,  looking  anxiously  down  at  the  babe  upon 
her  knee. 

"  Oh,  no !  He  has  no  nerves,  any  more  than  his  mother 
has.  Has  him,  baby?  He  is  interested  in  the  fire 
crackers  to-day,  but  he  does  not  start,  no  matter  how  many 
they  put  off,"  replied  Sarah,  and  in  an  exuberance  of 
spirits  most  unusual,  she  leaned  back  in  her  chair  and 
tossed  the  lovely  infant  up  in  her  strong  beautiful  hands. 

"  He  isn't  deaf,  is  he,  Sally?  "  enquired  Maude  agree 
ably.  Sarah  taxed  the  amiability  of  his  family  in  a  way 
poor  Benji  could  never  understand,  and  he  glared  at  his 
sister. 

"  Deaf!  "  he  ejaculated  indignantly.  "  What  are  you 
talking  about,  Maude?  Hi!  Boy!"  He  snapped  his 
fingers  at  his  son,  who  looked  up  with  a  placid  smile. 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  297 

''  Deaf!  "  re-echoed  the  outraged  parent,  and  a  ripple  of 
amusement  stirred  the  room.  Sarah  cuddled  her  babe 
beneath  her  chin,  and  her  lovely  eyes  smiled  serenely  over 
him  at  them  all.  It  was  a  ravishingly  beautiful  group, 
the  white-robed,  gold-crowned  mother,  and  her  child! 
A  beauty  in  itself  all-sufficient,  satisfying.  Maude  turned 
and  led  the  way  to  the  garden,  struggling  to  sub 
due  a  rebellious  affection  for  her  brother's  family.  She 
hated  Sarah,  of  course;  but  she  was  so  perfectly  beautiful, 
and  so  sweet!  She  never  retaliated,  however  sharply  she 
was  thrust.  And  the  child  was  undeniably  a  cherub. 

Mr.  Phelps  sat  down  on  the  arm  of  his  wife's  chair  as 
the  young  people  filed  out  of  the  room. 

'  When  nurse  comes  to  take  baby  for  his  nap,  I'll 
come  out  and  show  you  girls  how  to  hit  the  bull's  eye," 
called  Mrs.  Phelps. 

'  This  is  an  amateur  match,"  retorted  Maude,  over  her 
shoulder. 

"  Benjamin  does  not  half  coach  you.  I'm  coming," 
insisted  Mrs.  Phelps  serenely. 

''  Do  you  think  you  really  ought,  Sally?  "  queried  Benji 
solicitously,  and  Sarah  leaned  against  his  shoulders  and 
slipped  her  hand  in  his  with  a  feeling  of  real  proprietor 
ship. 

'  You  goose !  "  she  smiled,  reassuring  his  vague  con 
cern  for  her;  but  he  was  bored  by  pistol  practice,  and  when 
the  nurse  came,  he  went  up  to  his  own  room  for  a  nap; 
while  Sarah,  from  a  seat  on  a  small  side  porch,  shot 
cleverly,  and  in  a  happy  mood  rallied  Maude,  whose  shots 
went  wild  at  half  the  distance;  and  condoled  with  Bar 
bara,  whose  best  record  at  any  time  was  a  line  shot  four 
feet  above  the  mark. 

Across  the  street  at  Barbara's  window,  Zillah  busied 
her  fingers  with  some  dainty  piece  for  her  cousin's  trous 
seau,  and  let  her  eyes  wander  occasionally  to  the  bright 


298  THE  PANG-YANGER 

group  on  the  lawn.  The  sound  of  their  shooting  was 
scarce  discernible  in  the  explosive  celebration  that  was 
going  on  all  over  town,  but  holiday  merrymakers  loitered 
as  they  passed  the  Phelps'  "  place  "  and  stared  curiously 
over  the  low  green  hedge.  The  white-robed  beautiful 
woman,  so  much  talked  of,  sitting  on  the  porch,  focussed 
all  attention,  and  she  greeted  the  most  casual  acquaintances 
graciously,  cordially;  almost  effusive  in  the  relaxation  of 
a  long  tension.  She  felt  so  safe,  so  content,  so  grateful. 

Into  the  midst  of  her  content  broke  the  quick  patter  of 
a  pony's  hoofs;  a  bright  red  head  gleamed  along  the 
hedge,  and  Rob's  wonder-widening  eyes  gazed  rapt 
upon  the  angel  of  his  dream.  Her  shot  went  as  wide  as 
some  of  Maude's,  who  wrangling  with  Sir  Benjamin 
about  it,  did  not  see  the  boy,  but  Barbara  did.  Her  eyes 
went  from  him  to  his  mother,  and  the  rigid  beautiful  face 
made  her  cold  with  fear. 

"My  turn  again !  that  was  an  accident !"  announced 
the  clear,  cool  voice,  and  Barbara  had  only  time  to  leap 
and  intercept  the  bullet  aimed  suddenly  at  Rob.  She  fell, 
without  a  moan,  face  downward  on  the  grass. 

The  horror  that  still-bound  them  all  a  moment  was 
broken  by  a  terrific  rush  from  the  old  house  opposite.  In 
an  impetus  of  fury  that  sent  her  forward  like  a  catapult, 
Mam'  Lilly  hurled  herself  across  the  street  toward  them, 
and  all  who  saw,  gave  way.  Foam  flecked  the  tight  black 
lips;  her  eyes  were  lurid  fire;  and  her  great  fingers  worked 
convulsively  as  the  crazed  negress  rushed  upon  the  mur 
deress.  One  clutch,  the  black  fingers  buried  themselves 
in  the  quivering  white  throat,  and  lifted  her,  and  shook 
her,  dumb,  struggling,  in  that  awful  grasp.  Sir  Benjamin 
leaped  to  the  porch,  and  beat  the  frenzied  woman  on  the 
head  with  his  revolver,  but  Mam'  Lilly  drew  up  to  her 
full  height,  opened  her  foaming  lips  to  laugh  a  little, 
warded  him  off  easily,  sent  him  hurtling  backward  from 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  299 

the  porch  with  a  left-handed  blow:  and  never  ceased  to 
shake  and  shake  the  limp,  unconscious  figure  in  her  hand. 
When  the  lovely  roseleaf  face  grew  black  and  horrible, 
with  protruded  eye  and  tongue,  the  maniac  laughed  again, 
a  quiet  happy  chuckle,  but  never  ceased  to  shake  her 
victim  ruthlessly. 

Then  above  the  clamour  that  arose,  sounded  a  child's 
shrill,  piercing  cry,  "  Father!  oh,  father!  Come  quick! " 

The  Bronk  took  the  hedge  at  a  hand  gallop,  and  Abijah 
threw  himself  down  by  Barbara;  Maude  was  kneeling  by 
her,  sobbing  wildly,  and  when  they  turned  the  prostrate 
figure  over,  the  blood  welled  from  her  shoulder  in  a 
bright,  pulsing  stream.  Abijah  tore  her  dress  aside  and 
stopped  the  hemorrhage  with  his  fingers. 

"  Put  your  fingers  where  mine  are,  and  hold  them, 
hard!  Hard,  do  you  understand ?  That's  it!  That  con 
trols  it!  Don't  relax  an  instant,"  he  said  rapidly, 
placing  Maude's  trembling  fingers  where  his  own  had  been. 
"Go  for  Pomfret,  Rob!  Ride  like  hell!  "  he  shouted, 
and  leaped  forward  toward  the  porch.  Sir  Benjamin  had 
staggered  up,  prepared  to  shoot  the  negress. 

There  was  just  one  thing  to  do.  Abijah  put  his  body- 
weight  behind  the  blow,  and  Mam'  Lilly  crashed  down 
senseless,  carrying  Sarah  with  her.  They  had  to  prize 
each  finger  from  the  mangled,  bleeding  throat;  the  two 
faces  were  too  dreadful  to  behold. 

Benji  Phelps  rushed  from  the  house,  dazed,  incredulous, 
blinking  from  sleep. 

"  Oh,  my  God!  Sally!  "  he  cried,  and  tottered  against 
the  railing.  Abijah  had  his  hand  on  his  wife's  heart. 

"  She's  alive!  "  he  said,  and  rising,  cast  one  contemptu 
ous  glance  at  Benji  and  turned  to  the  baronet. 

'  Take  the  Bronk,  and  go  for  Newman !  Pom  can't  at 
tend  to  both,"  he  said  briefly,  and  ran  back  to  Barbara  as 
Dr.  Pomfret  tore  up  the  street. 


300  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"Doctor,  come  here!  come  here!"  screamed  Benji 
frantically,  but  Dr.  Pomfret  heard,  saw,  nothing  but  the 
girlish  figure  on  the  grass. 

"  Don't  make  a  bally  ass  of  yourself,  Ben !  "  advised 
Sir  Benjamin,  and  he  mounted  and  dashed  down  the 
street  to  the  new  doctor's  office. 

Dr.  Pomfret  did  his  work  steadily,  unfalteringly,  his 
terse,  quick  directions  followed  blindly  by  Maude  and 
Abijah,  while  Benji  shouted  for  attendance  on  his  wife, 
and  wrung  his  hands  helplessly  above  her,  and  warded 
off  the  efforts  of  the  servants  to  do  anything  whatever. 

"A  board!  Something  to  carry  her  on!"  said  the 
doctor,  never  raising  his  eyes;  and  Abijah  had  one  ready: 
so  hard  a  resting  place  for  Barbara  ! 

Between  them,  they  carried  her  across  the  street,  into 
the  quiet  of  a  deserted  house,  and  up  the  winding  stair 
way  to  her  room.  Zillah  sat  beside  the  window,  and  did 
not  rise  or  speak  as,  between  them,  the  two  men  laid  Bar 
bara  on  her  bed.  The  touch  of  the  soft,  pathetic,  help 
less  woman's  body  unnerved  Abijah,  and  his  big  hands 
trembled,  but  the  doctor  worked  with  the  precision  of 
a  machine,  skilful,  unhesitating,  almost  ungentle,  it  seemed 
to  his  pitiful  assistant. 

When  all  was  done,  a  gasping  cry  came  from  the  win 
dow,  and  Zillah  rose  up  and  threw  herself  upon  her  knees 
beside  the  bed,  with  outstretched  arms. 

"  If  she  dies,  I  want  to  die  too!  "  she  sobbed. 

The  doctor's  fingers  lay  upon  the  feeble  flutter  at  the 
wrist;  he  did  not  even  glance  at  Zillah. 

'  Take  that  woman  away,"  he  ordered,  quiet,  peremp 
tory,  impersonal,  and  Abijah  did  not  hesitate  to  obey. 

"  Come,"  he  said,  touching  the  heaving  shoulder,  and 
Zillah  let  him  lead  her  from  the  room. 

"  Aunt  Felicite  is  dead,  of  course,"  she  said  dully,  go 
ing  toward  her  own  room. 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  301 

"  Hadn't  you  better  go  to  her?  "  Abijah  asked  dubi 
ously,  backing  from  the  threshold  of  the  austere  cham 
ber. 

"  I  can't!  If  she  isn't  dead  now,  she  will  be  when 
she  hears  of  it,  and  I  can't  tell  her,"  and  Zillah  deliber 
ately  lay  down  upon  her  bed,  as  though  all  things  were 
ended.  Abijah  closed  the  door,  and  went  downstairs, 
where  he  knocked  at  Madam's  door. 

"  Entrezf "  said  a  sweet,  serene  old  voice,  and,  in 
relief  and  consternation,  Abijah  entered.  The  two  old 
ladies  looked  up  in  alarm,  and  Madam  turned  deathly 
pale. 

"  Mon  Dleu!  What  is  it?  "  she  gasped,  and  clutched 
her  rosary. 

'  Do  not  be  alarmed!  I  came  to  reassure  you.  There 
has  been  a  slight  accident,  but  nothing  serious.  The  rest 
are  all  busy  making  Miss  Barbara  comfortable,  so  I  came 
in  for  fear  you  would  be  alarmed  by  their  absence.  The 
doctor  thought  Miss  Barbara  had  better  go  to  her  room, 
and — er — keep  perfectly  quiet  for  a  while." 

Madam  did  not  follow  him.  Her  eyes  were  on  the 
Madonna's  face  and  her  lips  moved  in  prayer.  Abijah 
paused  respectfully. 

'  I  told  Barbara  not  to  have  anything  to  do  with  that 
pistol !  "  said  Aunt  Helen,  and  rose,  trembling,  to  go  up 
stairs. 

;<  I  think  you'd  better  stay  here,"  said  Abijah  authori 
tatively,  and  the  redoubtable  old  lady  sat  down  again 
obediently. 

Madam  raised  her  eyes  beseechingly. 

;'  It  is  serious,  I  know !  I  feel !  But  the  blessed  Mary 
will  preserve  my  child  to  me.  Oh,  Mother  of  God,  let 
her  not  suffer  pain!  My  little  child!  My  little  child!  " 

A  rush  of  tears  came  to  her  relief,  and  Abijah,  re 
assured,  went  swiftly  from  the  room.  Rob's  face  looked 


302  THE   PANG-YANGER 

up  at  him  from  the  level  of  the  piazza  floor,  as  he  sat  be 
side  the  steps,  on  his  pony,  waiting. 

"  Hello,  pard!  "  said  Abijah  softly,  going  out  to  him. 

"  Is — she  dead?  "  whispered  the  child  in  a  frightened 
voice. 

"  No,"  replied  Abijah,  and  Rob's  composure  broke. 

'  Th' — th' — beautiful  angel  shot  at  me!  "  he  sobbed 
suddenly. 

Abijah  stepped  down  and  put  his  arm  around  his  boy. 

'  You're  mistaken,  Rob,"  he  said  gently,  but  with  de 
cision.  "  It  was  entirely  an  accident.  Do  you  under 
stand?" 

"  I  thought  she  shot  at  me,"  sobbed  Rob,  his  face 
against  his  father's  breast. 

'  Well,  you  mustn't  say  that,  because  you  were  mis 
taken,  you  know.  It  was  an  accident,  entirely  an  acci 
dent."  The  father's  face  was  set  and  stern,  but  his  voice 
was  soothing. 

"  Now,  pard,  I  think  you  better  go  down  to  Doc's 
office,  and  wait  for  me.  I'll  come  as  soon  as  I  can.  Go 
lie  down  in  the  office  till  I  come:  and  if  any  one  asks  you 
about  this,  say  it  was  an  accident,  of  course;  but  I'd 
rather  you  went  right  to  the  office,  and  did  not  talk  at 
all." 

"All  right!"  said  Rob  pluckily.  His  face  was 
blanched  beneath  the  big  brown  freckles,  but  he  sat  up 
straight  and  rode  away.  Abijah  watched  the  little  fel 
low  as  he  himself  strode  across  the  street.  The  sheriff 
met  him  at  the  Phelps  gate. 

"  What  t'hell's  been  doin'  here?  "  enquired  the  official, 
as  they  approached  the  still  unconscious  figure  of  the  gi 
gantic  negress  on  the  porch. 

"  Get  the  handcuffs  on  that  nigger  before  she  comes 
to,  Jim.  She's  plumb  raving  mad.  You've  got  your  work 
cut  out,  to  git  her  to  the  asylum  anyway,"  said  Abijah. 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN  303 

The  sheriff  snapped  the  manacles  on  the  ponderous 
wrists. 

"Gosh!  what  a  fist!"  he  ejaculated.  He  gave  her 
a  slight  kick.  "  Don't  look  as  if  she  was  coming  to  in  a 
hurry,"  he  observed  and  looked  curiously  at  Abijah. 

"  Good  thing  for  you  if  she  don't.  How's  Mrs. 
Phelps?  "  enquired  Abijah. 

'  That  Englishman  says  she's  coming  to.  How's  Miss 
Barbara?  I  hope  to  gracious  that  little  thing  ain't  hurt 
bad.  It  '11  break  Doc  all  up  if  anything  happens  to  her." 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  Abijah,  turning  away.  ''  I'm  go 
ing  to  take  my  boy  home.  There  isn't  anything  I  can  do, 
Jim?" 

"  Might  stop  at  the  jail  and  tell  'em  to  send  up  the 
wagon  for  this  critter." 

"  All  right." 

"  I  say,  'Bijah—  Abijah  stopped,  and  the  sheriff 

followed  him  down  the  path.  "This  shooting,  now?" 
he  said  confidentially. 

Abijah  allowed  the  light  of  comprehension  to  break 
slowly  over  his  face. 

"  Good  Lord !  No !  "  he  said  emphatically.  "  I  wasn't 
here,  but  I  know  they're  the  best  of  friends.  It  was 
just  one  of  the  regular  Fourth  of  July  fool  accidents." 

"  Oh,  all  right!  "  said  the  sheriff  in  a  satisfied  tone,  but 
there  was  a  sly  expression  on  his  face  as  he  went  back  to 
watch  by  poor  Mam'  Lilly. 


XVIII 

OCTOBER  dreamed  upon  the  mountains,  and 
under  a  veil  of  mist  the  first  brilliance  of  au 
tumnal  colouring  was  subdued  to  exquisite  tones 
of  soft  gradation.  Sepia  tints  replaced  the  vivid  reds 
and  yellows  of  the  first  frost  kiss,  the  asters  paled,  the 
goldenrod  was  sere,  the  cloudy  clematis  smoked  along  the 
stone  walls  with  the  bitter-sweet,  and  the  sombre  perspec 
tive  was  accented  by  fading  splashes  of  the  crimson 
sumach  in  the  foreground. 

But  the  haze  upon  the  mountains  had  a  deeper  tint  than 
the  diaphanous  blue  mist  of  Indian  summer:  there  was  a 
sinister  shade  upon  the  mystic,  mellow  beauty  of  the  hills, 
the  sun  was  lurid,  and  at  night  the  vapours  deepened:  the 
moon  leered  red  in  rising  and  reeled  in  drunken  vapour 
through  a  smoky  sky,  and  on  the  murky  heights  the  long, 
red  petals  of  the  fire-flower  bloomed  in  the  darkness. 
There  was  an  acrid  odour  in  the  air,  and  when  the  wind 
was  in  the  west,  the  smoke  hung  heavy  over  Hurstville. 
The  mountains  were  afire.  There  was  slight  danger  for 
the  village  down  between  the  Kills;  though  the  volunteer 
fire  department  slept  literally  with  their  boots  on;  but  the 
farms  outlying  on  the  mountain-side  were  jeopardised 
each  time  the  wind  veered. 

Barbara  Hurst  was  convalescent  after  her  long  illness, 
and  the  red  line  on  the  mountain  opposite — her  mountain, 
she  called  it — exercised  a  nightly  fascination  for  her.  By 
day  the  smoke,  drifting  with  the  wind,  concealed  the  ad 
vancing  fire  line,  but  the  tale  of  the  night  was  plain. 

"  I  wish  you  would  let  me  move  you  into  my  room  to-day. 

304 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  305 

You  ought  to  be  enjoying  the  dahlias.  They  are  gorgeous, 
and  we  may  have  a  killing  frost  any  night  now,"  said  Zil- 
lah,  sure  that  the  prospect  from  Barbara's  window  was  not 
exhilarating,  though  Barbara  had  refused  to  exchange  it 
for  any  other. 

"  When  Philena  comes  up,  you  may  move  me  in  for  a 
while.  How  I  do  miss  poor  Mam'  Lilly!  I  hope  Donna 
is  all  right." 

"  The  doctor  sends  his  boy  to  exercise  her  daily.  I 
imagine  she  resents  the  rider,  but  she  looks  all  right,"  said 
Zillah  soothingly.  Barbara  had  been  a  fractious  invalid, 
but  Zillah's  store  of  patience  was  inexhaustible. 

"  Zillah,"  said  Barbara  abruptly,  after  a  long  abstrac 
tion,  "  did  I  talk,  when  I  was  delirious?  " 

"  No.  Not  much,"  replied  Zillah.  "  There's  the  ex 
pressman,"  she  added,  and  left  the  room  abruptly.  She 
returned  with  her  arms  full  of  white  lilac. 

'  Where  on  earth  shall  I  put  them?  "  she  demanded  in 
calm  desperation.  "  Everything  is  full,  from  the  little 
cream  pitcher,  to  the  big  dragon  vase  in  the  hall.  I  wish 
in  mercy's  name  the  man  would  stop !  " 

Barbara  smiled  wanly. 

''  I  imagine  he  has  forgotten  all  about  it.  It  will  make 
him  '  sit  up'  when  the  florist  sends  his  bill,"  she  said  in 
differently. 

"  It's  just  what  any  one  would  expect  of  Abijah  Bead! 
His  mother  was  calling  yesterday,  and  remarked  the  doc 
tor's  extravagance!  Do  you  wish  these  here?  " 

'  I  don't  care.  No,  leave  Doctor's  violets.  Take 
those  into  your  room,  Zillah.  There  must  be  enough 
downstairs." 

When  Zillah  sat  down  by  her  again,  Barbara  reverted 
to  her  unanswered  question.  "  You  were  going  to  tell 
me  what  I  talked  about  when  I  was  ill,"  she  said  curiously. 

Zillah  hesitated.     Then,  precipitately: 


306  THE  PANG-YANGER 

'  You  talked  about  Abijah  Bead,"  she  said. 

'The  devil  you  say!"  exclaimed  Barbara  quaintly, 
quoting  from  the  colonel's  expletives  to  cover  her  humilia 
tion  and  dismay.  "  What  did  I  say  about  him?  " 

"Nothing!  " 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

"  Neither  do  I,  nor  wish  to!  You  said  nothing  but  the 
name." 

The  girl  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief.  "  What  did  Doctor 
say?  "  she  enquired. 

"  Do  you  imagine  we  discussed  the  situation?  " 

"  I  did  not  suppose  there  was  any  situation  under 
heaven  Charles  Pomfret  would  not  discuss,"  coolly. 

"  Not  with  me,"  frigidly. 

"  No?  "  provokingly.  "  So  I  mentioned  Mr.  Bead  oc 
casionally!  Now  that  was  too  bad,  wasn't  it?  I  understand 
why  you  dragooned  my  room  and  kept  Aunt  Helen  out. 
Thanks,  awfully!  I'll  do  as  much  for  you  whenever  you 
go  off  your  head." 

"  I  do  not  apprehend  a  similar  contingency." 

14  Neither  did  I,  but  you  never  can  tell  when  the  Hurst 
conscience  will  break  out.  I  never  can  flirt  with  any  sort 
of  comfort  when  I'm  engaged.  I  suppose  that's  why  I 
babbled,"  said  Barbara  pensively. 

"  I  should  think  you  would  be  ashamed  of  yourself," 
said  Zillah  indignantly,  but  Barbara  laughed. 

'  Why,  bless  your  heart,  honey,  I  didn't  go  fo'  to  do  it," 
she  exclaimed  coaxingly.  "  I  wouldn't  hurt  Doctor's  feel 
ings  for  the  world."  And  Zillah  gave  her  up  in  despair. 

In  her  own  peculiar  fashion  Zillah  was  fond  of  her 
cousin;  had  worked  for  her  in  health,  and  nursed  her  with 
devotion  during  her  long  illness,  but  she  did  not,  and  she 
could  not  approve  of  her.  The  girl's  natural  coquetry 
was  an  insoluble  mystery  to  the  frigid  celibate;  an  of 
fence  to  virgin  modesty:  and  her  delirious  muttering  of 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  307 

"  'Bijah!  'Bijah!  'Bijah!  "  never  anything  but  the  name, 
but  that  with  a  haunting  sweetness  of  intonation,  had 
deeply  shocked  and  embarrassed  Zillah.  For  very  shame's 
sake,  she  was  fain  to  interpose  between  it  and  the  doctor, 
but  the  well-meant  effort  was  unavailing.  They  stood  to 
gether  over  the  unconscious  girl  while  the  ceaseless  mur 
muring  went  on,  and  neither  of  them  even  indirectly  re 
ferred  to  it,  except  by  the  tacit  exclusion  of  Aunt  Helen 
from  the  room.  That  indignant  lady  pervaded  the  corri 
dors  and  made  things  interesting  for  Zillah  outside,  but  she 
did  not  quite  venture  to  defy  the  doctor's  authority,  the 
more  especially  as  he  remained  at  hand  to  enforce  it.  He 
stayed  at  the  house  throughout  the  danger  period,  at 
tended  Barbara  exclusively  for  weeks  afterward,  and  his 
devotion  was  untiring.  When  she  was  safely  convalescent, 
however,  he  sent  for  Abijah.  "Come!"  the  telegram 
read,  and  Abijah,  in  the  midst  of  an  energetic  campaign 
for  re-election,  at  the  far  edge  of  the  county,  responded 
by  the  first  train. 

Old  Jerry  met  the  doctor  at  the  telegraph  office,  which 
was,  of  course,  the  post-office. 

'  Th'  fire's  rampin'  down  th'  mountains,  and  I've  sint 
the  wurred  to  Mr.  Bead.  Th'  ould  place  has  got  to  go, 
sorra  th'  day,  unless  there's  a  miracle !  And  the  saints 
(may  they  forgive  me !)  do  not  be  working  overtime  these 
days,"  said  the  old  man  sadly. 

'  I  knew  it  when  the  wind  changed  this  morning.  I'm 
sorry  to  see  the  old  landmark  disappear,  but  I  do  not  be 
lieve  'Bijah  can  do  anything  more  than  you  have.  I've 
just  sent  for  him  myself,  though,  so  he  will  be  here  soon," 
the  doctor  responded. 

u  An'  that  same  is  pure  folly — savin  yersil',  Docthor 
dear!  For  fwhat  should  a  man  watch  throuble  comin'? 
Sure  it  '11  ketch  him  soon  enough.  /  sint  wurred  hinsel' 
could  do  no  good  at  all,  at  all,"  said  Jerry  regretfully. 


3o8  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  I  wished  to  see  him  about  other  things." 

"  Oh,  thin,  'twill  distract  him,  maybe  !  He'd  hate  to  see 
the  ould  place  goin',  th'  crathur!  It's  fond  of  home  he  is 
as  an  ould  cat,  and  hinsel'  sich  a  wan!  "  Jerry  said  with 
feeling. 

"Yes,  I  think  Abijah  will  be  distracted.  /  am!" 
thought  the  doctor  wearily,  as  he  waited  in  his  office.  The 
long  strain  of  Barbara's  illness  had  told  on  him,  and  he 
had  aged  perceptibly.  It  was  with  a  sense  of  relief  he 
heard  Abijah  coming  up  the  stairs,  three  at  a  time,  as 
usual. 

Their  greeting  was  the  habitual  confidential  one,  and 
the  doctor  eyed  the  young  man  wistfully.  Abijah  was  in 
magnificent  condition,  hard-muscled,  clear-eyed,  alert,  the 
untrained  natural  athlete;  his  very  presence  was  instinct 
with  vital  force. 

'  Well,  Doc?  "  he  said  tranquilly,  as  they  shook  hands. 

"  Have  a  seat,"  said  the  doctor  hospitably,  kicking 
a  chair  toward  him,  and  pushing  the  cigars  across  the 
table. 

"  '  My  house  is  afire,  and  my  children  astray,'  and  Jerry 
is  prancing  on  the  fire  line!  Talk  fast,  Doc,"  and  Abijah 
bit  off  the  end  of  a  cigar,  glancing  toward  the  smoking  top 
of  the  mountain  visible  from  the  window. 

"  Oh,  go  on,  if  that's  what  you  came  for !  "  said  the  doc 
tor  gruffly.  "  You're  late  to  be  in  a  hurry,  though.  Jerry 
has  kept  the  gang  at  work,  early  and  late,  but  this  wind 
settles  the  question,  I'm  afraid.  I've  been  up  there,  and 
should  have  sent  for  you,  if  you  could  have  done  any  good. 
I  hate  to  see  the  old  place  go,  myself." 

Abijah  sat  down  stolidly  opposite  the  doctor. 

'  What's  doing  here,  or  hereabouts?  "  he  enquired. 

"  Nothing  special.  I  wanted  to  talk  over  some  things 
with  you.  How's  election?  " 

"  I'm  going  to  best  your  man,  but  the  beggar  is  making 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  309 

me  hump  myself  to  do  it.  I've  choked  off  his  knocking  on 
the  Trusts,  though,  and  posing  as  the  friend  of  labour." 

"How?" 

"  With  old  Van  Orden.  You  know  Shaffer  sold  the  old 
man  out,  foreclosed  on  him  when  he  was  in  a  tight  place. 
His  wife  had  been  sick  a  long  time,  and  after  she  died  Van 
Orden  couldn't  scratch  his  interest  together.  He's  never 
got  his  grip  since  he  lost  his  little  home.  Well,  I  hire  him 
to  attend  Shaffer's  meetings.  All  of  'em!  He's  a  Demo 
crat  all  right,  and  they  can't  very  well  fire  him,  for  he 
doesn't  do  a  thing  but  look  sad.  He's  having  the  time  of 
his  life.  He  has  naturally  got  a  face  on  him  long  enough 
to  eat  oats  out  of  a  churn,  you  know,  and  when  he's  paid 
for  it,  he  can  squelch  the  enthusiasm  of  a  whole  crowd, 
just  sitting  there,  and  looking  sad,  because  Shaffer  sold 
him  out!  If  the  audience  forget  him,  he  blows  his  nose 
trumpenjus,  and  wipes  a  furtive  tear,  and  he  gets  a  side- 
front  seat  in  view  of  most  of  the  audience,  at  any  price. 
(It  usually  comes  high,  I  find.)  And  he  tells  his  little 
story  casually  to  little  groups  at  the  hotel,  and  in  the  sa 
loons  before  the  meeting.  It  works  beautifully.  Your 
folks  have  caught  on,  but  I  think  Van  Orden's  melancholia 
is  chronic.  If  you  give  this  away,  I'll  make  you  take  some 
of  Murray's  specifics,  Doc." 

"  I  don't  see  what  possessed  you  to  meddle  with  the 
labour  question  the  first  thing.  You  know  that  public 
sentiment  is  all  against  the  Trusts." 

'  It  was  laid  upon  me,"  said  Abijah  piously.  ''  I've 
been  up  against  the  Unions.  They  hold  allegiance  to 
themselves  above  the  law  of  the  land:  the  law  I'm  helping 
to  make!  Sabe?  It  is  a  personal  matter." 

'  They  are  the  inevitable  correlatives  of  capital  combi 
nations,"  said  the  doctor  absently,  and  Abijah  noticed  his 
abstraction  with  indulgence. 

''  I  can't  see  that.    Trusts  are  the  excesses  of  legitimate 


310  THE  PANG-YANGER 

enterprise;  they  are  corporate,  and  their  abuses  can  be 
legislated  for,  but  Unions  are  incorporate,  irresponsible  as 
fleas!  An  alien  importation,  anarchistic,  and  so  contrary 
to  the  American  spirit  of  individualism  I  want  to  fight." 

'  They  have  increased  wages  and  improved  the  condi 
tion  of  the  labourer,  who  certainly  needed  a  weapon  of  de 
fence.  You  can't  deny  that." 

"  But  I  do.  The  marvellous  industrial  growth  of  the 
past  fifty  years  has  improved  the  condition  of  the  labourer 
along  with  the  rest  of  us,  but  I've  got  the  figures  to  prove 
that  in  some  of  the  best  organised  trades  wages  are  ac 
tually  lower  than  they  were  twenty  or  thirty  years  ago. 
They  haven't  been  able  to  overthrow  the  law  of  supply  and 
demand;  that's  an  equalising  force  as  strong  as  gravity; 
and  wherever  wages  have  been  raised  by  artifice  above  the 
natural  rating,  that  increased  wage  is  used  up  in  dues  and 
assessments  to  support  a  worthless  horde  of  agitators  and 
to  prosecute  strikes.  Aside  from  the  unrest  and  suspense 
of  the  present  state  of  things,  the  class  antagonism  and 
anarchistic  taint  of  labour  unions,  the  labourer  is  an  actual 
money  loser  through  them.  I've  no  objection  to  corpo 
rate  measures,  though  I  play  a  lone  hand  myself,  but  I  pro 
test  against  coercion.  I  don't  know  that  I'll  be  able  to 
hammer  this  idea  into  the  voters  of  this  county,  but  I'm 
going  to  try  it.  Simmer  it  down  and  it's  a  question  of 
ethnology  and  the  Anglo-Saxon 

"  Shut  up!  "  said  the  doctor  brusquely.  "  I'm  not  a 
caucus,  and  I  did  not  send  for  you  to  orate." 

"  I  was  only  filling  up  the  time  with  sapient  reflections 
on  live  issues  of  the  day.  You  don't  seem  in  a  hurry  to 
come  to  the  point,"  said  Abijah  with  composure. 

"  Well,  for  one  thing,  I  want  to  know  if  you  are  still 
decided  not  to  do  anything  about  that  shooting,"  asked 
the  doctor. 

"  Cut  bono?  "  shrugged  Abijah. 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  311 

"  It's  an  outrage  to  let  a  woman  like  that  go  scot-free !  " 

"  As  I  have  pointed  out,  this  is  a  confirmed  habit  of 
Sally's,"  Abijah  observed  stolidly,  then  with  earnestness, 
"  I  know  how  you  feel,  but  great  nation,  man,  do  you  want 
Miss  Hurst  mixed  up  with  this  any  further?  How  is 
she?" 

"  She  does  not  get  strong  as  fast  as  I  wish,  as  she  ought. 
'Bijah,  with  this  attack  on  Rob  as  a  lever,  you  ought  to 
bring  that  woman  to  terms." 

Abijah  eyed  his  friend  askance. 

'  The  lever  would  have  a  little  better  fulcrum  this  side 
of  the  Atlantic.  I  see  they  sail  to-morrow,"  he  said  drily. 

"  Did  you  ever  apply  for  a  divorce,  'Bijah?  " 

"  No,  it's  no  use:  she  would  perjure  herself.  I  haven't 
a  ghost  of  a  case." 

"  Are  you  sure?  " 

"  Damnably!" 

'  Thumbscrews,"  said  the  doctor  savagely,  "  is  the 
only  thing  for  this  woman !  It's  a  perfectly  incredible 
situation." 

"  It's  darned  friendly  of  you  to  take  such  an  interest, 
Doc,  but- 

''  It's  a  matter  of  public  interest." 

'  The  public  (no  offense)  be  damned!  This  is  a  pri 
vate,  family  scrap,  and  the  public  must  dodge  the  stray 
bullets.  It  isn't  as  though  Sally  were  really  vicious.  This 
shooting  was  purely  automatic;  I  explained  my  theory  of 
Sally  last  winter.  She  isn't  vicious,  she  does  not  premedi 
tate  her  deviltry,  but  she  has  a  hair-trigger  reflex  for  op 
portunity.  You  know  I  promised  to  keep  Rob  away,  but 
the  little  tyke  begged  so,  I  chanced  one  last  visit  in  the 
crowd  of  the  Fourth,  and  when  his  red  head  showed  up, 
'  over  the  garden  wall,'  and  the  revolver  was  in  her  hand, 
it  just  went  off,  at  the  rubescence.  I  suppose  it  seemed  a 
really  providential  opportunity  to  rid  herself  of  trouble. 


312  THE  PANG-YANGER 

She  has  taken  advantage  of  several  other  such  exceptional 
opportunities,  always  with  the  most  gratifying  results.  As 
to  the  thumbscrews,  I've  spent  some  thousands,  and 
came  near  an  apoplexy  trying  to  get  a  turn  on  her,  and 
I  give  it  up.  She  knows  that  if  she  stands  pat,  no  one  can 
harm  her,  and  she  will  stand  pat,  don't  you  doubt  it  for  a 
moment.  There's  no  use  trying  to  do  anything,  Doc. 
Personally  I  do  not  wish  to  do  anything.  If  I  put  her  be 
hind  the  bars,  I'd  never  get  another  wink  of  sleep;  I'd 
have  to  blow  my  brains  out.  I  can't  help  being  sorry  she 
is  even  scarred." 

"  I  believe  you  care  for  the  woman  yet!  "  said  the 
doctor. 

"  No;  but  see  here:  when  the  thing  is  simmered  down, 
it  isn't  Sally's  fault  she's  married  to  me.  The  Lord  knows 
she  didn't  want  to  be,  and  now  she  doesn't  feel  responsible 
for  it.  The  boy  was  a  physiological  blunder  of  mine.  I 
thought  maternity  would  soften  her;  it  does  most  women; 
but  it  turned  Sally  to  stone.  All  feeling  had  burned  out 
in  one  flame  of  passion.  I  ought  to  have  let  it  go  at  that, 
but  I  felt  responsible.  It's  a  risky  thing  to  take  the  re 
sponsibility  of  another  human  being  in  your  hands,  and  the 
result  hasn't  justified  my  interference." 

'  You  are  an  infernal  fool !  It's  a  pity  you  did  not  let 
Mam'  Lilly  finish  her!  "  the  doctor  said  vindictively. 

"  It  was,  perhaps,  a  mistaken  impulse  on  my  parti- 
Doc,  you  never  saw  or  imagined  anything  so  horrible  as 
that  scene!     I'm  not  real  tender  of  Sally  any  more,  but  I 
couldn't  stand  for  that,  not  if  I'd  seen  her  shoot  Rob. 
How  is  Mam'  Lilly?" 

"  Just  the  same." 

"  That  must  be  hard  for  Miss  Hurst." 

"  She  thinks  she  is  dead.  Her  attitude  is  so  strange! 
When  she  learned  of  Mam'  Lilly's  condition  (I  had  to  tell 
her,  she  quizzed  so  hard),  she  ordered  me  to  give  her 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  313 

her  quietus  as  authoritatively  as  though  she  had  been 
Donna;  when  I  explained  the  impossibility  of  this,  she 
nearly  went  insane  herself;  wouldn't  listen  to  reason  or 
argument,  brought  on  a  fever  and  a  relapse,  and  I  had  to 
kill  off  the  old  nigger  to  satisfy  her.  I  don't  know  what's 
going  to  happen  when  she  finds  out." 

"  She  must  not  find  it  out,  until  she  is  dead.  It  can't 
be  long,  can  it?  " 

"  Unless  she  refuses  food,  there  is  no  telling  how  long. 
She  rages  like  a  wild  beast,  but  her  strength  seems  inex 
haustible.  And  Barbara  insisted  on  seeing  her.  Thought 
she  could  soothe  that  raving  maniac!  " 

Abijah  shuddered. 

''  I  was  afraid  of  her,"  he  said  simply. 

'  You  had  cause  to  be.  Evidently  Mam'  Lilly  thought 
Barbara  was  the  one  attacked.  'Bijah,  are  you  sure  Rob 
was  shot  at?  " 

"  He  is.  I've  demonstrated  to  him,  to  his  satisfaction, 
that  it  was  an  optical  illusion ;  but  all  the  same,  you  know, 
he  '  thought  she  aimed  at  him.'  What  does  Miss  Hurst 
say?" 

"  She  has  not  mentioned  it  at  all." 
'  There  was  certainly  no  reason  to  harm  her" 

"  Unless — jealousy." 

"Good  Lord!  I've  explained  that  Sally  isn't  emo 
tional.  Self-preservation  is  her  only  law,  and  that's  an 
automatic  arrangement.  Besides — she  hadn't  any  cause, 
you  know,"  said  Abijah  emphatically. 

"  Any  attention  on  your  part  is  conspicuous,  be 
cause " 

"Next  girl  I  find  in  Pang-Yang,  I'll  leave  there!" 
growled  Abijah. 

"  Because  it's  so  unusual." 

"  See  here,  Doc,  you  better  see  Schmit,"  interposed 
Abijah  soothingly.  Schmit  was  a  noted  alienist.  '  This 


3i4  THE  PANG-YANGER 

strain  has  been  too  much  for  you.  You  have  got  to  get  a 
brace  on.  Let's  go  up  and  fight  fire  as  a  sedative.  I  be 
gin  to  feel  nervous  myself." 

'  This  is  a  matter  demanding  serious  attention,"  the 
doctor  said  gravely. 

"  Well,  I'm  sure  I  don't  know  how  to  be  any  more  seri 
ously  attentive  to  you  than  I  am ;  unless  I  hold  your  hand. 
What  in  thunder  do  you  want,  anyhow?  " 

"  Abijah  Bead,  I  want  you  to  answer  me  seriously.  Do 
you — care  for  Miss  Hurst?  " 

Abijah  appeared  to  sound  his  deeper  feelings  carefully. 

"  Nothing  to  hurt,  I  reckon,"  he  announced  cheerfully, 
"  why?  "  but  he  was  disconcerted. 

"  Have  you  ever  had  reason  to  think  she  might  care— 

"  No!  "  thundered  Abijah,  because  this  was  no  time  to 
haggle  over  the  truth. 

"  I  think  you  are  lying,  'Bijah,"  said  the  doctor  sadly. 
u  I'm  much  obliged,  but  I  really  think  you're  lying.  Bar 
bara  was  delirious,  you  know 

Confronted  suddenly  by  the  illimitable  possibilities  of 
this  condition,  Abijah  tore  his  hair. 

"  I  didn't  do  it!  "  he  averred  distractedly.  "  Whatever 
it  was,  I  didn't  do  it !  I'll  plead  guilty  to  any  sane  accusa 
tion  and  throw  myself  upon  the  mercy  of  the  Court,  but 
I'm  blamed  if  I'll  stand  for  the  vagaries  of  delirium  !  This 
is  too,  too  much  !  I'm  plumb  discouraged.  Hurstville  will 
never  be  a  happy  home  for  me !  Here's  bigamy  and  as 
sault,  and  arson,  and  now  this  old  Turk!  I'm  going  to 
leave!" 

"  If  you  were  the  only  one  concerned,  you  might  go  to 
the  devil,"  said  the  doctor  so  sadly  that  Abijah  sobered, 
and  the  doctor  went  on :  "  You — you  were  the  only  one  in 
her  mind  all  the  time  she  was  ill,"  he  said  slowly,  reluct 
antly. 

Abijah   swore   fluently   and   comprehensively   to  clar- 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  315 

ify  thought.  '  Where  are  your  professional  ethics?  "  he 
stormed  as  soon  as  he  became  coherent.  "  What  do  you 
mean  by  betraying  a  poor  girl's  delirium  ?  It  was  delirium, 
wasn't  it?  Then  why  in  time  can't  you  let  it  go  at  that? 
In  her  sane  moments  she  never  separated  me  and  the 
Bronk;  considers  me  a  sort  of  centaur,  you  know;  that's 
just  it,  Doc,  the  riding !  She  is  daft  on  riding,  you  know, 
and  we  did  rather  go  the  pace  a  few  times.  It  must  have 
been  that  on  her  mind."  And  Abijah  regarded  the  doctor 
anxiously  as  he  advanced  this  specious  speculation. 

'  There  was  no  word  of  riding  or  anything  except  your 
name."  It  was  a  bald  professional  citation,  but  the  doc 
tor's  eyes  searched  the  young  man's  face. 

Abijah's  stoic  training  stood  him  in  good  stead.  He 
sat  immovable,  face  and  figure;  a  huge,  half-recumbent 
statue,  but  his  heart-beats  quickened.  Deep  in  his  sombre 
eyes  glowed  romance  and  the  poetic  ideals  which  his  firm 
jaw  was  set  to  dominate.  A  passion,  infinitely  sweet  and 
tender,  had  crept  into  his  lonely  heart :  this  young  girl  had 
become  precious  beyond  word  or  thought;  he  feared  to 
think  of  her,  lest  he  should  harm  her.  For,  beyond  the 
peradventure  of  a  doubt,  he  knew  she  loved  him. 

He  took  his  cigar  from  his  lips,  and  slowly  exhaled  a 
deep  breath  of  smoke. 

'  Why  do  you  tell  me  this?  "  he  asked  slowly,  as  one 
feels  his  way  in  doubt. 

"  Because  the  happiness  of  this  dear  child  is  more  to  me 
than  anything  on  earth.  Because  my  love  for  her  exceeds 
a  man's  mere  passion,"  said  the  doctor  fervently. 

Abijah's  heavy  lids  drooped  over  his  dreaming  eyes 
again.  Did  his?  How  this  girl  challenged  men's  chivalry ! 
A  tender  half-smile  touched  the  lips  under  the  black  mous 
tache;  he  meant  to  defend  her  against  herself. 

"  And  still,  I  do  not  see  why  you  should  tell  me  this," 
he  repeated  doggedly. 


316  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  Do  you  think  I'll  stand  between,  if  you  two  love  each 
other?  "  asked  the  doctor  wearily. 

"If!"  Abijah  roused  himself.  "Under  the  circum 
stances,  yes,  I  should  think  you  would.  But  see  here,  Doc, 
since  it's  absolutely  indispensable  to  your  peace  of  mind, 
I'll  tell  you :  I  made  rather  an  ass  of  myself  that  day  at 
Pang-Yang.  Nothing — er — nothing — Oh,  blazes  !  Noth 
ing!  Only  I  did;  and  it  wasn't  her  fault.  Fault?  Bless 
her  heart!  It's  her  inalienable  right  that  men  should  love 
her,  and  they  do.  It's  as  natural  as  teething.  She  has  a 
magnetism  that  is  irresistible,  and  I  reverted  to  first  princi 
ples:  I  didn't  give  a  cuss  for  proprietary  rights,  and  I 
was  effectually  squelched.  So  I  lit  out,  and  you  needn't 
be  afraid  I  shall  hang  around  your  bailiwick  after  your 
marriage.  Always  said  I  wouldn't  anyhow. — Doc,  there 
are  things  beyond  a  man's  will  or  purpose;  I  hope  you  and 
I  shan't- 

"  No,"  said  the  doctor  kindly,  "  we  shan't,  'Bijah,  but 
this  is  not  a  question  of  you  or  me.  I  would  give  way  for 
no  man,  but  I'm  not  such  a  doddering  old  fool  as  to  stand 
in  the  way  of  Barbara's  happiness.  She  knows  I  want 
no  sacrifice;  would  not  accept  it." 

"  But,  Doc!  Why,  Doc,  what's  the  use  of  discussing 
this  thing?  What  if  we  were  both  as  mad  as  you  are? 
What  then?  You  know  my  position,"  said  Abijah  bit 
terly. 

1  'Bijah,  we  must  look  at  things  as  they  are,  without  fear 
and  without  reproach,"  said  the  doctor  with  emotion. 
l<  I  am  an  old  man,  the  glamour  of  life  is  past,  but  age 
knows  better  than  youth  the  inestimable  value  of  love. 
When  legal  technicalities  conflict  with  moral  right,  the 
higher  law  prevails." 

"Sure!  Now  you  just  go  ahead  and  expound  the 
higher  law  in  this  particular  case.  I'd  be  glad  of  a  liberal 
interpretation.  Fortunately  for  the  girl,  Aileen  Mahan 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  317 

made  her  a  confidante.     I've  the  decency  to  be  glad  of  it, 
for  I'm  such  a  brute— 

"  You  stand  upon  a  mere  punctilio.  The  law  takes  no 
cognisance  of  this  marriage:  it  is  null  and  void,  and " 

"  My  lawyer  is  not  a  sentimentalist;  he  decides  that  I 
am  '  in  a  very  embarrassing  situation.'  ' 

"  In  spite  of  her  young  ardours  and  impulses  Barbara 
is  a  woman  of  unusual  poise  and  character,  capable  of  de 
ciding  on  the  requirements  of  her  own  nature,"  said  the 
doctor  firmly. 

"  Decide!  "  exclaimed  Abijah  caustically,  "  she  will  de 
cide  nothing !  She  has  no  more  idea  what  life  is,  real  life, 
than  Rob  has.  Why,  good  God,  man !  would  you  let  this 
girl  wreck  her  life  for  a  passing  whim  ?  " 

''  I  do  not  think  that  you  would  wreck  her  life,  what 
ever  she  decides.  And  I  can  trust  my  darling  to  do  right: 
because,  whatever  she  does,  is  right,  for  her." 

This  triumphant  syllogism  was  clearly  incontrovertible 
by  logic. 

"  And  in  your  sane  and  proper  mind — but  you  are  not! 
This  is  sheer  dementia !  I  thought  she  had  '  decided  '  to 
marry  you?  " 

"  My  fault!  "  the  doctor  said  remorsefully.  "  She  is 
the  only  human  being  I  ever  felt  a  real  affection  for,  and 
I  thought, — no  matter!  I  acquiesce,  whatever  she  desires. 
I  don't  know  what  that  is,  but,  'Bijah,  if  she  cares  for  you, 
she  will  wait  for  you  all  her  life.  I  know  the  temper  of 
the  child." 

"  And  I  have  a  reasonable  knowledge  of  my  own,  and 
it  isn't  the  kind  that  waits.  By  the  lord  Harry,  man, 
what  do  you  think  I'm  made  of?  " 

'  The  right  material,  or  I  shouldn't  be  talking  to  you 
of  Barbara  Hurst." 

'  Public  opinion  differs  with  you.  A  platonic  friend 
ship  with  me  would  criminate  a  saint.  Why,  Doc,  just 


318  THE  PANG-YANGER 

try  to  imagine  me  hiking  up  to  the  Hurst  house,  to  explain 

to  Miss  Hurst  (your  fiancee)  that,  while  I've  got  a  wife 

o'  sorts,  I  stand  ready  to  be  '  a  brother  to  her  '  '  till  death 

us  do  part.'     Have  they  got  a  dog?  "  Abijah  demanded 

savagely. 

"  Perhaps  not — all  your  life!  "  the  doctor  said. 

"  Oh,  Sally  will  come  to  eighty  year,"  predicted  Abijah 
stoically. 

"  'Bijah,  there  must  be  an  understanding  between  you 
two.  I  have  a  right  to  demand  it,  and  I  do!  " 

"  Understanding  of  what?  "  Abijah  demanded. 

"  Of  your  position  and  feelings." 

"  As  to  my  position,  I  can't  marry  any  woman  on  earth ! 
As  to  my  feelings,  I  wish  to  thunder  you'd  leave  'em 
alone.  I'm  husky." 

"  I'm  not  considering  your  feelings,  damn  you !  "  said 
the  doctor,  "  but  if  I  had  not  thought  you  cared  for  her,  I 
should  not  have  sent  for  you." 

"  I    care    enough    to    keep    away,"    retorted    Abijah. 

'  This  fire  is  most  opportune.     The  old  place  will  go, 

and  so  will  I.     If  your  diagnosis  is  correct,  and  mind  it's 

yours,   not  mine,   this  piece   of  girlish   folly    (it's  sheer 

perversity)  will  be  forgotten." 

"  A  man  need  not  remember  because  he  can't  forget,  but 
women  live  in  memory,  haunted  by  ideals — 

"  Oh,"  exclaimed  Abijah  slowly,  comprehendingly,  "  so 
I'm  to  shatter  a  girl's  ideal!  "  He  stopped  a  moment, 
and  laughed  out  harshly.  u  I  suppose  you  think  that 
ought  to  be  the  easiest  thing  in  the  world  for  me.  Well, 
it  isn't!  " 

"  Under  the  circumstances,  I'm  sure  I  wish  you  could!  " 
retorted  the  doctor. 

"  It's  a  damn  ingenious  scheme,  Doc,"  reflected  Abijah, 
"you  don't  ask  much  of  a  man,  do  you?  "  He  lapsed 
into  a  long  abstraction.  Into  his  half-closed  eyes  came  a 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN  319 

remote,  rapt  expression.  It  might  be,  after  all,  the  only 
way.  But  it  was  hard! 

"  I  hope  you  understand,"  said  the  doctor  with  deep 
emotion,  "  that  all  on  earth  I  care  for  is  Barbara's  happi 
ness." 

"  Which,  as  far  as  I've  observed,  is  a  temperamental 
impossibility,"  said  Abijah,  rousing.  He  got  to  his  feet 
abruptly,  and  thrust  out  his  hand  to  his  friend. 

"  It  isn't  exactly  plain  to  me  why  I  must  make  dog's 
meat  of  myself,  but  'tis  no  great  matter.  I'm  going  to 
see  Miss  Hurst,"  he  said,  that  curiously  remote  expression 
still  in  his  eyes. 

'  That's  what  I  sent  for  you  for,"  said  the  doctor,  but 
his  hand  shook  as  he  gave  it. 

'  Then  don't  think  any  worse  of  me  than  you're  obliged 
to,  whatever  happens." 

'  Whatever  Barbara  decides,  is  right!  "  the  doctor  an 
swered  staunchly,  and  the  two  men  wrung  each  other's 
hands. 

"  Dog's  meat!  "  Abijah  set  his  jaws  on  the  word,  and 
no  one  ventured  to  accost  the  grim-visaged  man  as  he 
strode  up  the  street;  "  I  haven't  but  a  shred  or  two  of 
self-respect  remaining,  but  to  antic  shameless  in  your  eyes! 
Oh,  Barbara!  Barbara!  " 


XIX 

IT  is  Mr.  Bead." 
Zillah's  careful  modulation  suppressed  a  world  of 
comment.      It  was  as  though  she  said,  "  Behold!  " 
and  stood  aloof.     It  was  a  tone  and  attitude  which  fre 
quently  incited  her  volatile  kinswoman  to  crime  and  vio 
lence,  and  Barbara  responded  now  with  animation.     She 
openly,  defiantly  brightened,  and  sat  up  among  the  crimson 
pillows  of  the  couch. 

"  Zillah,  Doctor  said  I  might  move  about  a  little.  I'm 
going  down." 

"  If  you  wish  him  to  carry  you  back  !  "  responded  Zillah 
sarcastically. 

"  He  could  do  it  as  beautifully  as  Mam'  Lilly !  "  said  the 
girl  dreamily. 

"  I've  no  doubt  he  will  be  delighted.     Shall  I  ask  him  ?  " 

"  No.  But  I'm  going  to  see  him.  He  isn't  the  man  to 
note  the  difference  between  a  boudoir  and  a  parlour.  Bring 
him  upstairs,"  said  the  girl,  and  Zillah,  in  non-committal 
silence,  straightened  a  window  shade,  adjusted  a  screen, 
and  pushed  a  large  chair  within  conversational  distance  of 
her  cousin's  couch,  while  Barbara  rummaged  among  the 
cushions.  "  I  can't  find  my  other  slipper;  is  my  hair  re 
spectable?"  she  enquired,  patting  her  short  curls,  as  Zil 
lah  handed  her  the  missing  shoe. 

"Now  shall  I  bring  him  up?"  Zillah's  attitude  ex 
pressed  the  lively  interest  of  an  automaton. 

'  Yes,  please,"  said  Barbara  sweetly,  and  because  Zillah 
would  be  horrified,  she  gave  him  both  hands  gaily,  when 
he  stood  beside  her.  The  thrill  of  contact  shocked  them 

330 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  321 

apart  quickly:  Barbara  motioned  to  the  chair,  and  Abijah 
drew  it  nearer. 

'  But  what  is  he  doing,  the  great  god  Pan,  down  in 

the   reeds  by  the   river,'   when !  "      She   finished  by 

pointing  through  the  window  to  the  smoke-clouded  moun 
tain,  behind  his  house. 

"  By  Jove,  how  plainly  you  can  see  the  old  place  from 
here,  and  you  so  hidden  in  the  trees!  "  he  exclaimed,  fol 
lowing  her  direction.  "  I'm  afraid  I  can't  do  any  good  up 
there :  Jerry  has  had  fifty  men  at  work  in  the  woods  ever 
since  the  fire  started.  We  should  have  escaped  if  the  wind 
hadn't  shifted  last  night." 

Even  as  they  looked,  frayed  edges  of  the  smoke  flapped 
from  the  adjacent  timber  towards  his  house,  tongues  of 
flame  reached  toward  it  hungrily,  and  as  the  wind  lifted 
the  pall  of  smoke  a  moment,  they  saw  some  one  on  the 
roof  at  work. 

''  I've  watched  it  for  two  weeks,  wondering  why  you  did 
not  come  home :  I  can't  bear  to  see  an  old  home  destroyed," 
said  Barbara. 

"  Jerry  was  doing  all  that  any  one  could  do.  I  reckon 
it  wasn't  intended  I  should  live  in  Hurstville.  If  the  trees 
go,  I  had  as  soon  the  house  went  too.  They  are  a  part  of 
home.  I  could  replace  the  house,  but  those  trees  were  a 
primeval  growth.  Did  you  notice  them?  " 

"  Oh,  yes ;  it's  horrible  !  I  understand  what  it  will  be  to 
you  to  see  the  old  giants  replaced  by  a  scraggly  second 
growth  of  stunted  things — like  Pang-Yang." 

He  turned  and  looked  at  her.  "  I  shall  not  see  it;  you 
have  had  to  take  root  in  a  strange  soil;  I  suppose  I  can. 
But  how  are  you  really?  Almost  ready  for  another  gal 
lop  through  the  Green  Vlei  ?  You  look  light  enough  to 
float  on  the  fog  now.  I  should  be  afraid  of  losing  you." 

"  I  cannot  ride  again  for  a  long  time.  Months!  "  said 
Barbara  ruefully. 


322  THE  PANG-YANGER 

'  That's  rough !     It  has  all  been.     I've  wished " 

A  swift  gesture  disclaimed  sympathy. 

''  I'm  well  now :  only  not  strong  yet.  Please  do  not  talk 
of  me.  I  am  so  tired  of  myself.  Tell  me  of  out-of-doors. 
You  bring  the  breath  of  it  in  with  you." 

'  Was  that  why  you  thought  of  Pan  again?  "  he  asked 
idly. 

'  Yes,  I  always  do.  Your  altars  and  sanctuaries  are 
among  the  hills,  you  know.  Oh,  I  can't  imagine  you  at 
Albany,  shut  in  by  walls !  " 

"  I  hope  you  don't  mention  this  impression  generally," 
said  Abijah  earnestly.  '  Though  my  altars  and  sanctuaries 
are  very  literally  smoking,  I  desire  to  get  back  to  Albany, 
and  I  shouldn't  have  a  show  for  it  if  the  people  realised 
how  I  played  the  goat." 

"  How  is  the  election?  I  hope  you  will  win.  Our 
nominee  is  a  disgrace  to  us.  It  was  rank  party  treachery 
to  put  him  up.  I  told  Doctor  so.  I  think  he  betrayed  his 
party  for  your  sake,  doing  it.  Of  course  he  does  not  own 
it." 

Abijah  lounged  back  in  his  chair,  a  figure  of  reposeful 
strength,  and  his  vitality  surcharged  the  atmosphere  of  the 
pleasant,  wide,  low  room.  They  both  forgot  the  strange 
ness  of  his  presence  there,  and  drifted  into  intimate  and 
friendly  chat.  Barbara's  mentality  inspired  confidence, 
and  she  was  a  vivid  listener.  Abijah  found  himself  telling 
of  his  political  plans  and  ambitions  like  a  callow  youth, 
and  pulled  up  abruptly.  This  was  no  way  to  go  about  the 
business  in  hand.  In  the  pause  Barbara  thanked  him  for 
the  flowers,  and  he  learned  in  consternation  of  his  respon 
sibility  for  the  profusion  he  had  seen  below  stairs.  His 
shout  of  laughter  crashed  through  the  listening  house. 

"Why  didn't  you  throw  them  out?  It  must  have  been  a 
regular  nuisance.  I'll  head  'em  off  to-morrow.  You  can 
see  I'm  not  used  to  girls.  In  my  capacity  of  '  family  friend,' 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  323 

I  told  the  florist  to  do  the  proper  caper.  Oh ! "  he  laughed 
again,  and  wondered  if  the  bowl  of  violets  on  the  table 
were  his.  Barbara  saw  his  glance,  and  would  not  tell  him. 

"  You  cannot  imagine  how  Maman  and  Zillah  have 
luxuriated!  I  think  it's  a  conspiracy,  but  they  will  let  me 
have  only  a  few  flowers  up  here,  else  I'd  fill  the  room,"  she 
added  demurely. 

"  Ought  I  to  go?  "  asked  Abijah.  "  Doc  said  I  might 
come,  but  I  plumb  forgot  to  ask  anything  about  staying. 
Are  you  tired?  " 

"  No." 

'*  Will  you  tell  me  if  you  are?  There  was  something 
I  wanted  to  ask  you.  Sure  you  are  not  tired?  " 

"  Quite  sure,"  said  Barbara. 

;'  It  is  about  this  shooting.     May  I  go  on?  " 

u  Is  it  worth  while?     It's  all  over  now." 

"  I  think  so.      Rob  says  the  shot  was  not  accidental." 

"  The  child  is,  perhaps,  clairvoyant?  "  He  ignored  the 
bland  suggestion. 

'  Tell  me  what  you  thought !  "  he  insisted. 

"  That's  immaterial,  and — I  will  not  be  cross-examined, 
Mr.  Bead." 

'  Your  sex  loyalty  is  commendable,  but  I  have  the 
right  to  know." 

"  Right!  "  she  murmured  with  indignant  courage. 

Abijah  hesitated.  Then,  "  Give  the  devil  his  due, 
Miss  Hurst.  The  woman  is  my  wife !  I  don't  know  why 
I'm  telling  you  this." 

To  his  surprise  her  face  became  irradiant,  her  eyes  as 
luminous  as  the  grey  of  summer  dawn. 

"  Oh!  "  she  breathed  happily.  "  I  don't  know  why  you 
are  telling  me,  either,  but  Fm  glad!  I  don't  understand, 
but  you  have  somehow  been  trying  to  shield  her?  "  The 
shy  girlish  adoration  was  irrepressible.  She  had  long 
ceased  to  distrust  him:  her  love  and  self-respect  had  re- 


324  THE  PANG-YANGER 

course  to  unreasoning  faith  in  him:  Abijah  promptly  re 
pudiated  her  adulation. 

'  You  are  utterly  mistaken.  I  gave  voice  like  a  baffled 
hound :  I  brought  the  boy  here  :  I  set  the  pack  yelping  after 
her !  It  never  occurred  to  me  that  anything  like  this  could 
happen.  That  you  should  suffer  for — for  my  contemptible 
attempt  at  revenge  !  Should  interfere — Rob  tells  me  you 
did.  Is  it  so?  TV// me!" 

"  I  acted  on  the  impulse  of  the  moment.  If  I  had  had 
time  to  think  of  Maman,  I  should  not  have  dared.  It  is 
wonderful  the  shock  did  not  kill  her  outright." 

"  She  was  as  brave  as  you  were.  Your  '  impulses  '  are 
fortunate  for  Rob  and  me :  this  is  the  second  time  that  you 
have  risked  your  life  for  him !  " 

"  Oh,  life !  "  She  threw  it  from  her  with  contemptuous 
hands. 

'  You  know  what  it  is  worth  to  others,  your  life?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,"  wearily.  "  I  can  do  a  simple  problem  in 
proportion.  As  long  as  the  sum-total  of  misery  would  be 
increased,  not  lessened,  if  I  shuffled  off  my  share,  I  shall 
not  do  so,  obviously.  You  look  like  Zillah  does,  like  a 
cross  Yankee  school-teacher.  You  know  yourself  you 
could  not  bear  it:  you'd  go  mad,  only  '  the  door  is  open.' 
We  can  quit  the  scene;  therefore  we  wait,  decorously,  for 
the  curtain  bell  to  give  us  an  exit  which  will  not  confuse 

the  scene.     I  rather  hoped  I  had  my  cue,  but She 

shrugged  daintily. 

"  Stop  saying,  stop  thinking,  such  things!  It's  no  won 
der  you  are  morbid  now,  but  by  nature  you  are  the  most 

joyous  thing  in  life  !    I  want  you  to  promise  me Rob 

must  take  his  chances:  I'll  keep  him  away  from  here:  both 
lives  are  so  inexpressibly  precious  to  me — I  wish  I  might 
give  you  mine  for  the  one  you  have  saved !  " 

Barbara  was  versed  in  the  facile  Southern  conjugation 
of  the  verb  "  amo,"  had  listened  to  it  from  the  time  she 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  325 

was  in  pinafores:  but  this  brusque  Yankee's  declaration, 
wrenched  out  of  him  by  some  inexplicable  compulsion,  she 
did  not  understand:  she  waited  with  implicit  confidence. 

'  Your  parental  gratitude  exaggerates  the  act,  though  I 
do  not  belittle  the  result,  to  you,"  she  murmured,  as  he 
hesitated. 

;'  Now  for  it!  "  he  thought  desperately.  "  It  isn't  grat 
itude  alone.  I  love  you,  dear,"  he  said,  his  voice  guarded, 
grave,  kind:  a  most  peculiar  voice  for  such  a  declaration; 
and  there  grew  vague  trouble  in  the  great  grey  eyes;  dim 
ideas  of  divorce,  scruples,  repulsion !  There  must  be  a 
divorce  somewhere  ?  She  shrank,  but  her  face  grew  warm 
and  sweet. 

''  I  ought  not  to  have  said  that  yet,"  amended  Abijah 
whimsically,  "  I'm  a  chump :  I've  made  a  misdeal.  There 
are  a  few  preliminary  explanations." 

"  Yes,"  murmured  Barbara,  dimpling,  but  frightened. 
'There  does  seem  something  of  that  sort  necessary!" 
Their  eyes  met  in  a  gleam  of  laughter,  but  there  was 
flame  beneath,  and  breath  quickened.  With  sudden,  over 
whelming  force,  the  sense  of  his  great  need  of  her  swept 
over  him,  his  resolution  wavered.  She  was  in  the  mood 
that  women  credit  wildest  sophistries:  her  confidence  ob 
vious,  tempting.  What  strained  and  tortured  sense  of 
rectitude  obsessed  him  to  betray  it,  and  destroy  the  sweet 
passion  that  was  softening  her  to  a  loveliness  irresistible? 
The  possibility  of  an  expose  was  negligible,  she  need  never 
know;  he  would  assume  the  burden  of  deception.  And 
then,  with  every  instinct  clamouring  protest,  he  heard  him 
self  rehearse  the  brutal  facts,  without  extenuation,  beyond 
the  possibility  of  retraction,  and  watched  the  rose  of  love 
die  in  her  face,  her  two  hands  clinch  together.  It  was 
hard,  harder  even  than  he  had  foreseen.  He  writhed  be 
neath  her  still  contempt  as  he  deliberately  outraged  her 
hard-held  confidence. 


326  THE  PANG-YANGER 

"  It  is — a  truly  anomalous  position  for  you,  sir," 
she  murmured,  when  he  had  finished,  but  the  conventional 
inanity  was  futile  to  disguise  the  storm  of  her  darkening 
eyes;  her  pride  and  will  challenged  him:  his  blood  leaped 
madly,  refused  his  inhibition.  He  leaned  forward 
abruptly,  and  laid  his  hand  firmly  over  the  two  small, 
clinched  ones. 

11  Do  you  believe  what  I  have  told  you?  "  he  demanded 
imperiously. 

"  About  your  marriage?  Why  should  I  doubt  it,  sir? 
It  is  too  grotesque  for  fabrication.  Of  course  I'm  natu 
rally  at  a  loss  to  understand  why  I'm  your  confidante," 
haughtily. 

"  I  love  you,"  he  said  doggedly. 

'  Yes?  Still,  that's  entirely  your  personal  affair,  isn't 
it?  A  thing  requiring  neither  warrant,  right,  nor  record. 
What  has  the  family  skeleton  to  do  with  it?  " 

"  The  family  skeleton's  at  large,"  he  said,  with  a  touch 
of  his  old  whimsy,  but  his  eyes  were  glowing  with  a 
sombre  flame,  "  perhaps  I  should  not  reveal  it,  otherwise. 
It  can't  be  exorcised,  but — are  you  superstitious?  Don't 
you  love  me  well  enough  to  face  it,  dear?  " 

'  What  possible  reason  have  you  to  suppose  I  love 
you  at  all,  sir!  "  she  flamed,  anger  overcoming  her  con 
tempt. 

"  Dear,  I  know,"  he  said,  with  tender  dominance.  ;'  It 
is  not  of  our  wills  that  we  are  here,  in  this  maze:  things 
have  conspired  to  bring  us  two  together.  Accident,  and 

this He  laid  his  other  hand  upon  her  shoulder,  and 

the  wound  there  throbbed  and  beat  beneath  his  touch. 

"  Oh,  you  can  speak  of  that!  "  she  panted  furiously, 
"  you  dare  presume  on  such  a  thing  as  that?  A  mere 
impulse!  " 

"Don't!"  he  pleaded.  "I  cannot  tell  you  how  it 
brings  you  close  to  me:  it  is  a  sacrament  between  us!  " 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  327 

"  You  desecrate  it,"  she  said  hotly.  How  her  hands 
trembled  under  his !  She  wrenched  them  free. 

"  It's  desecration,  I  suppose  for  me  to  love  you,  but  / 
do!  "  he  said  defiantly. 

"Oh,  no!  no!  no!"  she  said  vehemently,  and  as  he 
bent  nearer,  her  disdainful  eyes  checked  him.  '  You 
disprove  it — every  instant,"  she  said  bitterly. 

"  Love  hurls  a  man  beyond  his  own  control,"  he  mur 
mured,  and  knew  himself  one  in  such  case,  reckless  of  his 
resolution,  swept  on  the  ilood-tide  of  passion  to  win  her  if 
he  could,  and  love  her  into  an  oblivion  of  all  else  in  earth 
or  heaven. 

"  Listen,"  he  said  masterfully,  and  she  listened,  breath 
less,  for  him  to  show  the  way  out  of  this  labyrinth. 

''  I  know  I  shock  and  bruise  your  innocence :  I  must  seem 
like  a  libertine  to  you,  and  yet  God  knows  I  mean  to  do 
the  best  I  can  in  this  cursed  situation.  You  must  know, 
you  must  know,  I  would  not  expose  you  to  any  possibility 
of  mischance,  but  there  is  none.  Barbara,  your  title,  right, 
and  honour  as  my  wife  would  be  unquestioned,  unquestion 
able,  in  the  open,  captious  eyes  of  the  whole  world.  Mor 
ally,  I  am  divorced.  Legally  I  should  be,  if  the  facts  were 
known :  they  never  can  be,  but,  if  they  could,  it  would  only 
enable  us  to  fill  all  the  letter  of  the  law !  Isn't  love  worth 
sacrifice?  " 

'  Yes,"  she  said  instantly,  but  met  his  fervent  gaze  with 
an  inscrutable  expression  that  baffled  and  alarmed  him. 

'  It  takes  the  greater  love  to  ask  the  sacrifice,  but,  oh, 
my  darling,  can't  you  understand?  " 

''  No,"  she  said  steadily,  white  to  the  lips,  and  he  could 
feel  her  whole  form  tremble,  "  no  man  that's  worth  the 
sacrifice  would  ask  it !  And  for  such  a  man,  I  would  brave 
anything!  " 

It  was  the  result  he  had  expected,  but  he  could  not  let 
her  go. 


328  THE  PANG-YANGER 

'  You  dear  absurdity!  If  the  conditions  do  not  daunt 
you,  how  can  my  offering  them  do  so?  "  he  pleaded. 

'  That  makes  all  the  difference  in  the  world,"  she  told 
him  wearily. 

'  The  difference  between  the  man  and  the  ideal !  I'm 
just  a  man,  but  with  such  qualities  as  I  possess,  I  love  you. 
I  meant  to  be  punctilious:  to  see  you  just  this  once,  for  the 
last  time :  but  I  cannot !  I'm  not  ideal :  my  love  is  only  real. 
Barbara,  shall  we  let  a  technicality  wreck  both  our  lives? 
You  love  me;  won't  you  trust  me,  little  one?  " 

"Oh,  your  egoism  is  intolerable!  I  have  given  you 
no  slightest  reason  to  assume  I  care  for  you,  I  am  your 
friend's  fiancee  !  And — I  hope — that — I  shall — never — 
see — your — face — again!  " 

The  brave,  pathetic,  childish  face  was  all  a-quiver;  she 
shrank  away  from  him,  but  his  voice  swayed  her,  com 
pelled  her  to  him  and  he  meant  it  should. 

"  Dear,  you  belong  to  me!  "  he  breathed,  bending  over 
her.  "  Oh,  heart  of  my  heart,  come  to  me !  " 

She  threw  herself  against  his  knees,  her  arms  out 
stretched,  her  head  bowed  on  them  in  a  sudden  storm 
of  tears,  and  he  lifted  her  and  laid  her  on  his  breast, 
vaguely  contrite,  utterly,  defiantly  triumphant. 

"  Give  up  to  love,  that's  best,"  he  whispered,  pressing 
the  tumbled,  curly  head  close  to  his  shoulder.  But  as  he 
bent  his  head,  her  hand  held  him  away,  and  he  laid  it 
against  the  tense  cords  of  his  throat,  and  waited  with  in 
dulgent  tenderness. 

"I  do  love  you!"  she  said  brokenly.  "No,  wait! 
Nothing  on  earth  should  stand  between  us,  no  condition,  if 
you  loved  me.  But  you  do  not!  No,  you  do  not !  'Bijah, 
you  must  listen,  because  I  cannot  bear  much  more.  You 
care  now,  but  some  day  you'd  remember,  lightly  perhaps, 
and  then,  oh,  I  do  not  know  what  I  should  do!  because  if  I 
were  with  you,  I  should  love  you  utterly,  abjectly,  reck- 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  329 

lessly!  I  do  not  care  if  you  know  now,  because — I  will 
not!  But  if  you  had  only  really  loved  me !  Oh,  you  do 
not  understand  what  that  would  be!  'Bijah,  do  not  kiss 
me  !  No,  for  I  shall  dream!  " 

She  tried  to  raise  herself  against  the  arms  that  held  her 
with  remorseless  tenderness. 

"  Dream  in  my  arms,"  he  murmured  passionately. 
"  Do  you  think  I'll  let  a  child  like  you  throw  love  away, 
and  not  restrain  you — so?  Not  love  you?  I  have  loved 
you  all  my  life,  not  knowing :  I  did  not  know  there  was  a 
woman  in  the  world  like  you.  Of  course  I  love  you.  Let 
me  prove  it,  sweet;  I'd  like  to  make  you  give  up  utterly; 
take  you  by  force.  I  could!  But  I  will  humour  the  ex 
treme  convenances.  We'll  wait,  and  watch  fate  work  to 
gether.  Wait  long,  decorous  years  (but  not  too  many). 
Will  you,  dear?  I  can  be  patient  if  I  hold  you  in  my  arms 
—like  this  !  And  kiss  your  lips :  I  must !  My  own,  why 
not?" 

For  a  breath  she  drifted,  swaying  to  the  flood-tide  of 
passion,  but  pride  held  its  anchorage,  and  half  incredulous, 
he  let  her  free  herself  from  his  embrace,  and  she  swayed 
to  her  feet  before  him ;  he  put  his  hand  against  her  waist  to 
steady  her,  and  she  leaned  heavily  thus  against  his  open 
palm,  white,  spent  with  passion,  but  with  the  simmer  of  a 
steel  blade  in  her  fearless  eyes. 

'  Wait !  "  she  said  with  deadly  quiet,  "  yes,  I  could  wait 
through  all  eternity,  each  hour  a  heaven,  but  I  would  not ! 
Understand,  it's  not  convenances,  but  you!  I  would  have 
come  to  you  across  the  world!  If  you  had  cared  for  me, 
not  asked  the  sacrifice,  it  would  have  been  none,  but  a  gift, 
a  joy !  Now,  I  will  not  love  you :  I  will  put  every  barrier  I 
can  between  us!  If  you  have  any  love  at  all  for  me,  go! 
Oh,  will  you  please  just  go!  " 

She  sank  away  from  his  support,  slipped  down  among 
the  cushions  of  the  couch. 


330  THE  PANG-YANGER 

He  sat  quite  still.  This,  then,  which  he  had  purposed 
and  forsaken  in  his  passion,  was  achieved  more  certainly  by 
means  of  his  defection :  her  perception,  through  quaint, 
feminine  media,  was  the  same  as  his,  before  his  passion 
swept  him  beyond  reckoning.  If  he  forced  her  to  face 
the  issue,  as  he  knew  he  could,  knew  tempestuously  that  one 
insistent  kiss  would  melt  her  resolution,  and  his  own,  it 
would  be  pseudo-happiness  for  her,  therefore  for  him. 
A  ravening  heart  hunger  assailed  the  man:  his  eyes  de 
voured,  yearningly,  the  dear,  dark  face,  the  darling  hands, 
the  tender  lines  of  her  sweet  body:  and  the  impulsion  al 
most  drew  him  to  his  knees  beside  her,  with  love's  impera 
tive.  He  got  to  his  feet  suddenly  instead,  and  with  relief, 
towering  above  her. 

"  Barbara,  do  you  realise  that  you  have  closed  the  gates 
of  Paradise  on  us?  "  he  asked  gently;  and  her  wide  deso 
late  eyes  looked  up  at  him  unfalteringly. 

'  They  were  not  open,"  she  said  drearily.  He  drew  a 
deep  breath. 

"  You're  right!  And,  my  God!  What  a  cad  you'll 
always  think  I  am  !  Well !  "  He  stooped  and  kissed  her 
lightly  on  the  lips:  "  Dream  then:  I  wish  I  could!  "  he 
muttered  and  went  swiftly  from  the  room. 

'  'Bijah!  "  The  surrendering  whisper  wrenched  at  his 
heart-strings:  he  had  not  expected  it:  he  wavered,  but  the 
sword  whirled  and  flamed  before  the  gate  of  Eden,  and 
he  went  on. 

Zillah  bent  anxiously  above  the  prostrate  figure  on  the 
couch. 

"  Barbara,  I  shall  have  to  send  for  Doctor,"  she  remon 
strated,  shocked  by  the  unimagined  heart-throes  of  woman 
hood. 

"And  why,  pray,  should  you  not?"  gasped  Barbara, 
rejecting  the  pale  pity  of  a  vestal  soul :  for  how  should 
Zillah  sympathise?  Zillah  did,  however,  sympathise  en- 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  331 

tirely  with  the  pride  of  the  defensive  instinct:  her  heart 
ached  for  the  girl. 

"  Very  well  then,"  she  said,  and  the  cold,  kind  monition 
had  effect.  Barbara  sat  up  and  faced  her. 

"  If  you  send  for  him  I  shall  hate  you,  Zillah,  and  I 
positively  will  not  see  him  !  I'm  not  ill :  for  Heaven's  sake 
leave  me  alone."  She  was  holding  herself  tensely  quiet, 
but  the  attitude  did  not  reassure  her  anxious  cousin. 

"  You  will  make  yourself  ill,  if  I  let  you  go  on  like  this. 
You  ought  to  take  a  dose  of  valerian  and  go  to  bed. 
I'm  sure  I  don't  know  what  else  to  do,"  said  Zillah, 
doubly  oppressed  by  responsibility  in  the  absence  of 
council. 

But  Barbara  was  looking  not  at,  but  through  her,  mazed 
and  bewildered  by  a  question  which  had  flashed  upon  her: 
'  Why  had  Abijah  not  responded  to  her  call?  '  He  had 
sought  her  with  an  overmastering  passion  and  foregone 
her  final  yielding!  Why  had  he  come  to  her  at  all?  It 
betrayed  some  oblique,  ulterior  purpose  characteristic  of 
the  man,  and  she  groped  blindly  for  the  clue.  It  eluded 
theory,  but  intuition  grasped  it  and  she  knew:  vaguely,  but 
not  less  certainly,  divining  enough  of  truth  to  guess  at 
some  high-hearted  motive,  meanly  masked.  A  soft  radi 
ance  dried  the  wet  grey  eyes,  the  sorrowful  young  mouth 
grew  tender  and  content. 

;<  I  have  made  a  great  mistake,"  she  said  in  a  kind  of 
awe,  and  the  elder  woman  felt  herself  helpless  to  pursue 
the  vagaries  of  an  emotional  temperament. 

"  I  think  that  is  altogether  more  than  probable,"  she 
replied,  entrenching  herself  behind  experience,  but  the  girl 
did  not  hear  or  heed  her:  she  went  on  half  unconsciously 
with  the  revelation  as  it  dawned  upon  her. 

u  I  don't  know  why  he  should  wish  me  to  think  he 
was.  .  .  .  But  if  he  had  been,  he  would  have  come  back 
when  I  called.  Perhaps  he  thought  I  should  regret  it. 


332  THE  PANG-YANGER 

Oh,  no,  not  now  I  understand !     Please  send  for  him,  Zil- 

lah;  say  I  want  him." 

"  Who?  "  the  congelation  failed. 

44  Why,  'Bijahf  "  said  the  girl,  and  the  soft  throaty  sob 
of  laughter  was  an  intimate  revealing  which  abashed  its 
unwilling  hearer,  "  he  made  me  think  he  was — utterly 
contemptible." 

"  Well !  "  The  arctic  intonation  implied  a  strong 
probability  in  this  direction,  but  the  happy  throb  welled  up 
to  the  girl's  lips  again. 

44  Why,  he's  just  the  most  magnificent — I  don't  entirely 
understand  it  yet;  and  I  can't  explain,  ever.  But  that  does 
not  make  the  least  difference.  I  want  Mike  to  take  a  note 
to  Mr.  Bead." 

4  You  had  better  send  out  a  town  crier,"  expostulated 
the  exasperated  and  perplexed  spinster. 

44  There  is  nothing  clandestine  in  our  relations.  I  am 
going  to — marry  Mr.  Bead,  and  I  wish  him  to  know  it 
before  he  leaves  town,"  said  Barbara  so  happily  that  Zillah 
could  have  shaken  her.  In  lieu  of  this  she  pointed  to  the 
ring  on  the  girl's  hand,  and  Barbara  calmly  slipped  it  off 
and  laid  it  by  the  violets  on  the  stand. 

'4  Doctor  should  not  have  let  me  do  that,"  she  remarked 
pensively.  "  I'm  very  fond  of  Doctor;  always  shall  be, 
but — I  will  write  to  Mr.  Bead  at  once,  please." 

14  Now  see  here,"  said  Zillah  firmly,  4'  I  don't  pretend 
to  understand  the  situation,  and  I  greatly  doubt  if  you 
do;  at  any  rate,  one  thing  is  certain.  Whatever  you  intend 
to  do,  or  undo,  you  shall  not  do  it  to-night  on  my  responsi 
bility.  If  you  insist  on  writing  to  this  man,  I'll  post  your 
letter  myself,  but— 

4  Why,  it  might  follow  him  around  the  county  for  a 
week!  Zillah,  if  you  have  no  human  feelings,  you  might 
try  and  imagine  ours,"  exclaimed  the  girl,  her  blushes  dep 
recating  the  sweet  shamelessness. 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  333 

"  I  should  prefer  not,"  Zillah  remarked  emphatically, 
and  stood  to  her  design  of  procrastination.  It  was  the 
only  thing  she  could  do  for  her  impetuous  kinswoman,  who 
was  obliged  to  submit. 

Exhausted  by  the  emotions  of  the  day,  Barbara  dreamed 
through  the  earlier  watches  of  the  night  until  the  wild 
rune  of  the  wind  in  the  trees  before  the  house  awakened 
her,  and  she  lay  dreaming  still.  The  problematic  future 
did  not  trouble  her;  it  rested  with  her  lover's  chivalry,  his 
motives  growing  clearer  as  she  thought.  Discerning  her 
infatuation,  how  she  did  not  know,  and  now  she  did  not 
care,  his  loyalty  to  his  old  friend  had  led  him  to  attempt 
her  disillusion.  She  smiled  in  the  darkness  at  the  dear 
clumsy  ruse;  but  would  he  come  again,  now  that  she  under 
stood  and  sent  for  him?  She  did  not  know;  and  with  the 
doubt,  something  of  the  elemental  unrest  of  out-of-doors 
touched  her.  She  rose,  her  first  steps  alone,  slipped  into 
gown  and  slippers,  groped  her  way  to  the  next  room,  and 
sank  down  in  Abijah's  chair  before  the  window. 

The  wind  had  increased  in  fury  as  the  night  deepened, 
and  the  village  lights  had  flared  and  flickered  in  the  gale, 
and  one  by  one  gone  out.  A  thick  murk  of  smoke  empalled 
the  town,  but  whenever  the  wind  lifted  it  a  moment,  the 
red  flames  on  the  mountain  glowed  and  leaped  in  shining 
lines  from  ledge  to  ledge,  before  the  gale.  Across  the 
street  a  brilliant  steady  light  streamed  from  a  window,  for 
the  lovely  chatelaine  was  lingering  over  preparations  for 
the  next  day's  departure.  The  girl,  dreaming  of  her  own 
beatitude,  felt  only  a  curious  compassion  for  the  woman 
whose  dreams  were  past. 

Abijah  had  fared  forth  that  night  to  watch  his  home 
melt  into  the  advancing  forest  fire,  and  afterward  in  the 
interval  of  waiting  for  the  early  morning  train,  he  tramped 
the  streets,  a  fit  rite  of  destitution,  and  the  wild  West  is 
never  counsellor  of  resignation.  It  would  not  let  him 


334  THE  PANG-YANGER 

linger  by  his  mother's  house;  the  one  beside  it  was  too  full 
of  memories,  and  the  remembering  elm-tree  at  the  gate 
writhed  and  tossed  its  great  arms  aloft  in  agony,  and 
swayed  and  strained  to  follow  as  he  passed.  He  hesitated 
at  the  doctor's  door;  but  why  call  up  the  old  man?  Bar 
bara  had  said :  '  I  will  put  everything  I  can  between  us  ' : 
he  strode  on  through  the  solitary  streets.  After  the  first 
storm  and  stress  she  would  doubtless,  as  Pomfret's  wife, 
subside  to  the  monotonous  content  of  the  women  mil 
lions.  Doubtless !  yet  he  doubted,  bodying  her  again 
within  his  arms ;  it  seemed  to  him  he  must  have  been  insane 
to  leave  her. 

And  the  wind  fell  upon  him  with  redoubled  violence  at 
each  corner  of  the  town,  and  whooped  derision  when  he 
turned  his  back;  it  swirled  around  each  landmark  that  he 
passed  and  jeered  him  as  a  pusillanimous  fool,  until  its 
eerie  influence  quickened  him,  and  he  repented  him  of  every 
thing  that  he  had  ever  done,  and  most  of  what  he  hadn't. 
He  had  controlled  the  thought  of  Barbara,  now  it  pos 
sessed  him,  and  her  adorable  response  to  him  swept  him 
from  heaven  to  hell.  All  the  urge  of  life  and  soul  was  to 
ward  her;  the  very  elements  of  fire  and  air  impelled  him, 
for  a  vague  anxiety,  a  menace  in  the  night  grew  and  har 
assed  him  with  a  haunting  fear  for  her.  Only  a  dogged 
resolution  held  him  to  his  course.  He  was  no  stripling 
now,  blown  by  the  impulse  of  the  wind;  and  every  fibre  of 
his  being  knit  to  the  dumb  endurance  which  challenges  the 
careless  gods. 

The  moon  rode  over  the  mountain  on  a  wilder  blast,  and 
before  it,  through  the  wind-tormented  forests,  fled  a  por 
tent  of  dismay.  The  lurid  fires  of  earth  and  sky  cast  for 
ward  a  weird  sciomachy  of  the  gaunt,  half-naked  figure, 
crouched  forward,  running  wildly  or  at  bay,  brandishing  a 
huge  round  stone  against  imagined  foes.  Dogs  howled  and 
whimpered  as  the  sinister  presence  passed  them,  creeping 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN  335 

through  lanes  and  hedges  in  the  suburbs,  shrinking  from 
shade  to  shadow  in  the  town.  It  cowered  in  the  darkness 
as  Abijah  passed,  but  at  the  corner  of  Mr.  Phelps'  house 
it  came  out  warily,  rose  upright  for  a  moment,  eager,  look 
ing  toward  the  light;  sprang  forward,  upward;  swarming 
with  incredible  agility  to  the  veranda  roof,  where,  outlined 
against  the  brilliant  casement,  Barbara  in  horror  recog 
nized  Mam'  Lilly's  amazonian  form. 

Sarah  stood  before  a  mirror,  idly  considering  the  effect 
of  a  pearl  necklace.  A  row  of  pendants  would,  perhaps, 
conceal  the  scars — and  Abijah's  marriage,  others.  It  meant 
that,  indubitably,  his  unprecedented  attentions  to  Barbara 
Hurst.  If  he  had  only  told  her  this,  instead  of  his  heroics, 
it  would  have  saved  those  scars !  No  prick  of  the  nerves 
forewarned  her;  no  weird  of  doom;  she  looked  up  care 
lessly  and  saw  the  black  unhuman  visage  mirrored  over 
hers.  She  could  not  stir.  The  glaring  eyeballs  held  her, 
and  in  a  trance  she  watched  the  naked  arms  shoot  up  above 
her  head,  the  heavy  stone  descend. 

There  was  no  sound,  no  cry.  The  maniac  flung  herself 
upon  the  quiet  body,  and  when  she  rose  the  ruddy  hair 
writhed  around  the  smooth  splotched  stone  where  once  a 
face  had  been.  Then  the  dogs  bayed  again.  The  fren 
zied  creature  sprang  back  in  the  night,  and  with  a  demoni 
cal  shriek  of  triumph,  hurled  herself  headforemost  from 
the  roof.  Stunned,  dying,  as  the  house  roused  to  its 
awful  tragedy,  she  dragged  herself  across  the  street 
and  lay  quite  still  upon  the  box-edged  path  of  the  old 
garden. 

Barbara  never  knew  how  she  possessed  herself  of  her  re 
volver  and  reached  the  huddled  figure  under  the  wind- 
shaken  trees ;  she  called  aloud  as  men  ran  past  to  the  Phelps 
house,  but  the  wind  snatched  her  voice  away  and  beat  her 
down:  she  crouched,  grasping  her  revolver,  on  guard  till 
help  should  come.  A  shot  would  summon  it,  but  it  might 


336  THE  PANG-YANGER 

rouse  the  maniac  and  she  must  not  escape.     Help  must 

come  quickly,  some  one  would  see  them. 

Only  an  echo  of  the  maniac's  shriek  reached  Abijah,  at 
the  outskirts  of  the  town,  but  he  paused,  and  expecting  an 
alarm  of  fire  each  moment,  sauntered  back,  until  men  met 
him,  rushing  to  protect  their  own,  and  shouted  warning 
of  the  ghastly  peril  lurking  in  the  night. 

It  seemed  to  him  he  ran  upon  a  treadmill,  could  not 
reach  that  ominously  quiet  house  beneath  the  darkening 
trees.  The  smoke  drifted  heavily  beneath  the  dusky 
moon,  but  as  he  strained  forward  he  discerned  the  two 
still  figures  on  the  shadowy  path  and  leaped  to  them. 

"  I'm  not  hurt,"  said  Barbara,  as  he  caught  her  up  to 
him,  and  with  his  arms  about  her,  his  tumultuous  heart 
beats  throbbing  at  her  breast,  her  courage  slipped  away. 

"  I  saw  her  going  into  Mrs.  Phelps'  window,"  she 
gasped,  "  and  I  came  as  quickly  as  I  could.  I  found  her 
here.  Oh!  'Bijah,  truly,  I — came — as — quickly — as — I 
could." 

For  a  moment  his  emotions  stifled  speech,  and  he  could 
only  hold  her  closer,  feel  that  she  was  safe.  Then  he 
raised  his  head  and  sent  a  shout  against  the  wind  that 
brought  men  rushing  from  across  the  street,  to  apprehend 
the  maniac,  and  bruit  the  awful  tragedy  of  that  wild  night. 
They  heard  it  like  the  chorus  of  an  evil  dream :  a  theme  of 
Fate,  far  off,  impersonal.  But  they  shuddered  as  they 
clung  together,  for  the  wind  following  them  up  the  dark 
pathway  moaned  the  death-sough  of  departing  souls  as 
their  betrothal. 

Midway  in  the  gloom  before  the  house  the  frightened 
voice  of  Zillah  shrilled  out  to  them: 

"  Mr.  Bead?  Is  it  you?  Have  you  found  Barbara?  " 
she  cried,  and  out  of  the  wild  whirl  of  the  night  came  a 
grave  assurance : 

" I  have!"  said  Abijah. 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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